Pashley Manor Gardens

Pashley Manor Gardens is a traditional English country garden in the parish of Ticehurst in East Sussex, about ten miles south-east of Tunbridge Wells. It is a privately owned garden promoted by Historic Houses, and it is best known for its annual tulip festival each spring. The house is a historic manor recorded as far back as the 14th century, and the garden is laid out around it.

As you walk round, expect a series of garden rooms and borders around the house, with topiary and lawns giving structure between the seasonal displays. Spring belongs to tulips, planted in large numbers for the festival. In summer, roses take over, and the rose garden is one of the main reasons people return. The topiary keeps the garden looking smart all year and is a good model for anyone who wants year-round shape from clipped evergreens.

For home gardeners, Pashley is a place to pick up ideas on bulb planting and colour combinations. Look at how tulips are grouped and paired with other plants, then note varieties for your own autumn bulb order. In summer the rose garden is useful for comparing roses before choosing one. The High Weald setting gives rolling views around the garden. Because the tulip festival is popular, visiting early in the day or midweek can be calmer, and it is worth checking the official site before you go, as the garden opens only in season.