History of Highdown Gardens

These wonderful gardens on the downland countryside of West Sussex was first created in 1910. It took over 50 years to complete to the standard it is today. The garden is one of the least known gardens in the area, but is one of the most unique. It started as an experiment bythe Banker Sir Frederick Stern & his wife Lady Stern to see what would grow in this old disused chalk pit.
All these years later it is now deemed a National Collection.
The 34479 sq m site has very little soil which makes the colourful displays all year round even more impressive.
When this garden was first created however many expeditions were heading out to various countries & collecting rare plants many of which are still growing well today from places such as China, Japan & the Himalayan regions.
Two major botanists helped to gather such a collection Reginald Farrer 1880-1920 originally from Clapham, North Yorkshire and Ernest Henry Wilson 1876-1930 originally from Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.
The garden was taken over by Worthing Borough Council in 1967 after the death of Lady Stern.