Tucked away in stunning countryside near London, you’ll find the incredible alternative to Kew Gardens. Owned by the National Trust but run by Kew, Wakehurst is home to gardens and temperate woodland that wouldn’t look out of place in California.
Wakehurst is close to the Sussex town of Haywards Heath – which is roughly halfway between London and Brighton on the Brighton Main Line railway line. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the most popular attractions in London with millions of people visiting the site every year.
But even people who visit the site regularly may not know about its sister site in Sussex. Formerly known as Wakehurst Place, it’s huge – with 500 acres of wild botanical gardens.
As you walk around, you’ll experience sights and smells from around the world, with plants grouped by country or region as they are in nature. Countries including Australia, China, Greece, Chile, Japan and Mexico are represented. There is also a Himalayan Glade and a Southern Hemisphere Garden.
But perhaps our favorite part of the entire estate is the magical Bloomers Valley, which transports you to Yosemite National Park, in California. The American prairie can also be found at the site, which looks to preserve the threatened North American grasslands.
In collaboration with experts from the United States, around 12 million seeds were collected and checked by scientists before being planted across the six-hectare landscape. The project began in 2019, and from 2022 it will be in full bloom just a stone’s throw from Wakehurst Place.
Other highlights include The Wetlands, where you can hike along the boardwalk, and Westwood Lake, which is at its most majestic in the fall when the trees surrounding it change color.
Where is it and how much does it cost?
It is close to the village of Ardingly and between the towns of Crawley, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath. Entry is free for National Trust members on presentation of a valid membership card, but parking charges apply, which is not normally the case at National Trust properties.
If you are not a member, the standard price for an adult is £16.50. The cost comes down to £7.25 if you’re aged between 18 and 25, while children under 16 get in free when accompanied by an adult.
It is between 50 minutes and an hour’s drive from most of South London. Just walk down the M23 and then get off at junction 10 from where it’s a short drive. The nearest train stations are Haywards Heath, East Grinstead or Crawley. From East Croydon it is a 25 minute train journey to Crawley for example.
These stops are approximately six miles away from the site. You can catch a bus journey to the site which takes around 30 minutes from Haywards Heath, Three Bridges or Crawley train stations.
Keep up to date with London’s most exciting events, newest restaurants and latest offers with our What’s On, Going Out newsletter. You can register HERE.
