Exploring the Flowering Gardens of the historic Nymans in Sussex.
“Welcome to Nymans, would you like a map?“, I am asked at the main entrance. “I’m fine thank you, I’ve been here many times before” is my reply. I have visited Nymans several times before, and again I return to see the seasonal changes in the beautiful gardens. I enter the estate through the traditional ‘National trust’ shop, surrounded by the wholesale goods that the majority of the National Trust sites have from the dark chocolate marzipan to the little bug collecting kits for children. Immediately after the main entrance, I am surrounded by plant sales, from flowers to shrubs of varying colours, shapes and sizes that can be purchased and taken home for your own little bit of historic Nymans.
Red flowers at Nymans, Sussex.
After navigating through these raised flower and shrub beds, I am presented with two paths, one on the left and one leading forwards. The most appealing is straightforward, as this is quiet and under the cover of full and bushy trees. This will be today’s route to explore the gardens.
A Little Nosey Robin
The gravel path leads through various species of trees from common oak to Japanese maples, with their triangular bright red leaves standing out against the green backdrop. Out of seemingly nowhere, small wavering flowers appear in the undergrowth. Cyclamen, delicate with white and pink flowers fluttering in the light breeze. This marks the start of the journey through an immense and diverse range of flora.
Delicate Pink Flowers of Nymans.
Passing through fountains and rose gardens suddenly the remains of mansion appear, made ruin by a fire in the early part of the twentieth century, still standing proud among the trees and flower beds and tightly surrounded by banana trees and various types of magnolia. I could have ventured inside here to view the remaining rooms that are preserved from the time of the buildings ultimate fate, but I chose instead to sit on the huge, well cared for lawn and watch.
Nymans House Garden
On my left, people are rushing around, doing the preparations for a couple’s most important day, with candles, chairs, and bouquets of amazing world flowers all in the setting of front lawn at Nymans. A wedding I am sure no one will forget. All over the gardens, families sit and picnic in the sunshine, children playing at gymnastics and Frisbee, while the older generation while away the time, contemplating and watching, maybe reminiscing of another time, a past time.
This is Nymans. Colour, variety, fresh air, diverse range of visitors and peace.
Summer Gardens at Nymans
NOTES
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
National Trust members, entry is free
Parking is Free
Address: Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB
Price Adults/Children: £12.00 and £6.50 respectively
Nymans sounds absolutely wonderful. I haven’t been to Sussex, but will definitely make a visit when I do. You make it sounds absolutely perfect for a day out and as a NT Member, I’d love it too. I adore your photo of the robin in the ivy too.
Thank you Sarah. I go there regularly, it’s really nice seeing the changes in gardens as the seasons change. Lovely place.
Your photos are beautiful. I love visiting National Trust properties.
Thank you Kacie. I do as well. I quite fancy volunteering to help out one day in one the NT places:)
Nymans sounds like such a lovely place to visit – but then I believe National Trust properties always are. I love Sussex so may have to visit one day.
It’s quite a nice county, and big. Definitely worth a day or weekend visit:)
The National Trust is full of little treasures like this place, something I’ve never heard of until now x
I joined the National Trust last year, I really had no idea how many places there are just about all over the UK.
This looks like a lovely place to visit. Great photos.
It is a great place to go. It is huge as well with forest walks. Thank you Crystal:)
The pictures of the flowers are so beautiful love the edit! Great that the parking is free!
Thank you Chichi. yes haha unlike certain other places where the parking is as much as paying for entry, with free parking hehe:)
Oh, wow! Your photos are just stunning. You’ve certainly captured my interest. I’d love to visit Nyman’s now. It’s such a shame I live such a long way away from Sussex 🙁
Louise x
Thank you very much Louise. If you are ever down this area, pop into it with a nice picnic:)