Wakehurst
Kew's 'wild botanic garden' in Sussex, home to an Elizabethan manor, woodland valleys and the Millennium Seed Bank.
Wakehurst is managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and is known as Kew's 'wild botanic garden'. It covers more than 200 hectares, with an Elizabethan stone mansion, wooded valleys, wetlands and trees from around the world. Its autumn colours and winter light festival are also well known. The Millennium Seed Bank, which holds seeds of tens of thousands of plant species from around the world, can be viewed through glass into the laboratory. Admission costs about £15–20, and a visit takes about half a day. It lies near Ardingly, about 35 km from Brighton, and is reached by bus from Haywards Heath station.
Opening hours
About 10:00–18:00 (closes earlier in winter)
Nearby sights
- Bluebell Railway
- Sheffield Park and Garden
- Ditchling Beacon
- Devil's Dyke
- Lewes Castle
- North Laine
- Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
- Brighton Dome