Woolbeding Gardens

• 10th August 2017

Nestling in a quiet corner of the West Sussex countryside, this gem of a place was the treasured home of the late Sir Simon Sainsbury, the grocery magnet, and his partner Stewart Grimshaw who continues to live here to this day. 

Much of the gardens have been designed by Isabel and Julian Bannerman and previously by Lanning Roper. 

With limited opening times, which have to be bookable in advance, you really get a true feeling of being allowed a glimpse of a very private garden which has only been opened to the public since the summer of 2011. 

The various areas on offer, including a well, herb and fountain garden, become rooms to wander through and as most of the seven gardeners who work here are constantly busy planting and transplanting, there is a very good chance that you get to have a nice chat with one of them amongst the borders.

As their brochure professes; this garden is very much alive - its spirit dances before you.