Pashley Manor Gardens
Service Type
- Family Attractions
- Things To Do
Description
A privately owned, award winning 11 acre garden, offers a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds. This is a quintessential English Garden of a very individual character, with exceptional views to the surrounding valleyed fields. Many eras of English history are reflected here, typifying the tradition of the English Country House and its garden.
Throughout the open season (3rd April – 30th September 2008) an exciting programme of events is devised for the discerning garden-lover: the spectacular Tulip Festival, Sculpture Fortnight, Special Rose Weekend, Lily Time and The Sussex Guild Craft Show.
The Gardens
The siting of Pashley, amidst the hilly wooded county of East Sussex, bordering on Kent, provides a setting that has been described as a gardener's dream come true.
The earliest record of cultivation at Pashley is a garden wall built during the 15th century, and there are great oaks dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. However, much of the structure of the garden was formed in the mid-19th century, with the planting of fine specimen conifers. From this era also dates a beautiful period greenhouse, containing many interesting plants. The extensive Kitchen Garden is Edwardian in character and a source of inspiration to gardeners who like to eat what they grow! Naturally, the garden provides an abundance of fresh produce including, when in season, salads, vegetables, fruit and herbs for the Garden Room Café.
A rose garden now flourishes within the old walled garden. Fine beds sweep across the South Front and enclose the wide lawn sloping down to the moat, where an ornamental bridge leads to the Island, with its classical temple. Verdant walks, glades and a chain of large ponds provide many ravishing views of the house, fountains and sculptures, Brightling Beacon and the surrounding countryside. Pashley is very proud of its late summer herbaceous borders with a rich tapestry of golds, oranges and reds continuing well into October, which creates a marvellous finale to the season.
Pashley Manor
The manor house was built by a successful Iron Master, Sir Thomas May, around 1550 and is unusual in having both a Tudor and an early Georgian façade. The May family owned the house for nearly 400 years and were one of the major Sussex families. Thereafter, Pashley was unoccupied from 1922-1945 (except for brief periods by troops and evacuees) and has only in the last 20 years been restored to its former glory. It is Grade I listed of Particular Architectural Interest, and its splendid oak-panelled Great Hall is open to the public throughout the season and houses the gift shop and, during the Tulip Festival, magnificent floral arrangements are also displayed.
Garden Room Café and Gift Shop
Pashley Manor Gardens prides itself on its delicious food, homemade soups, fresh salads, from the garden whenever possible, with local cheese, ham or pâté, homemade scones and cakes. Refreshments and food are served from the Garden Room Café which has seating for 80. Alternatively they can be enjoyed alfresco sitting on the garden terrace overlooking sweeping lawns down to the ponds. The gift shop caters for every taste - from postcards and local honey to traditional hand-painted ceramics and tapestry cushions. A selection of plants and shrubs, many of which grow at Pashley are also available for purchase.
Sculpture
Sculpture plays a very important part in the gardens with the design, views and settings ideal for placing sculpture. Each year the works of many eminent artists are displayed and can be purchased.
Botanical Art
Every year, an exhibition of botanical and flower drawings and paintings with leading artists, many of whom have been awarded Gold or Silver Gilt medals by the RHS, are on view in the Great Hall and Garden Room Café.
Throughout the open season (3rd April – 30th September 2008) an exciting programme of events is devised for the discerning garden-lover: the spectacular Tulip Festival, Sculpture Fortnight, Special Rose Weekend, Lily Time and The Sussex Guild Craft Show.
The Gardens
The siting of Pashley, amidst the hilly wooded county of East Sussex, bordering on Kent, provides a setting that has been described as a gardener's dream come true.
The earliest record of cultivation at Pashley is a garden wall built during the 15th century, and there are great oaks dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. However, much of the structure of the garden was formed in the mid-19th century, with the planting of fine specimen conifers. From this era also dates a beautiful period greenhouse, containing many interesting plants. The extensive Kitchen Garden is Edwardian in character and a source of inspiration to gardeners who like to eat what they grow! Naturally, the garden provides an abundance of fresh produce including, when in season, salads, vegetables, fruit and herbs for the Garden Room Café.
A rose garden now flourishes within the old walled garden. Fine beds sweep across the South Front and enclose the wide lawn sloping down to the moat, where an ornamental bridge leads to the Island, with its classical temple. Verdant walks, glades and a chain of large ponds provide many ravishing views of the house, fountains and sculptures, Brightling Beacon and the surrounding countryside. Pashley is very proud of its late summer herbaceous borders with a rich tapestry of golds, oranges and reds continuing well into October, which creates a marvellous finale to the season.
Pashley Manor
The manor house was built by a successful Iron Master, Sir Thomas May, around 1550 and is unusual in having both a Tudor and an early Georgian façade. The May family owned the house for nearly 400 years and were one of the major Sussex families. Thereafter, Pashley was unoccupied from 1922-1945 (except for brief periods by troops and evacuees) and has only in the last 20 years been restored to its former glory. It is Grade I listed of Particular Architectural Interest, and its splendid oak-panelled Great Hall is open to the public throughout the season and houses the gift shop and, during the Tulip Festival, magnificent floral arrangements are also displayed.
Garden Room Café and Gift Shop
Pashley Manor Gardens prides itself on its delicious food, homemade soups, fresh salads, from the garden whenever possible, with local cheese, ham or pâté, homemade scones and cakes. Refreshments and food are served from the Garden Room Café which has seating for 80. Alternatively they can be enjoyed alfresco sitting on the garden terrace overlooking sweeping lawns down to the ponds. The gift shop caters for every taste - from postcards and local honey to traditional hand-painted ceramics and tapestry cushions. A selection of plants and shrubs, many of which grow at Pashley are also available for purchase.
Sculpture
Sculpture plays a very important part in the gardens with the design, views and settings ideal for placing sculpture. Each year the works of many eminent artists are displayed and can be purchased.
Botanical Art
Every year, an exhibition of botanical and flower drawings and paintings with leading artists, many of whom have been awarded Gold or Silver Gilt medals by the RHS, are on view in the Great Hall and Garden Room Café.
