Denmans Garden |
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The entrance to Denmans garden is through what was a farmyard, the Dairy Teashop until 1986 being the cowhouse to a working farm. Together with several other buildings this was the home farm to an estate built for and owned by Lord Denman in the 19th century. The main house (Westergate House) lies to the west of the garden across Denmans Lane.
In 1946 The late Mrs Robinson and her husband bought what was then a rundown house, garden and its surrounding land. They sold the house and converted two cottages in the garden which became their home. A large Dutch light greenhouse was purchased in which strawberries, tomatoes and flowers for the London market were grown. This structure now houses unusual frost-tender species, their random planting creates the mood for the remaining 3 1/2 acres yet to be explored.
The Concept
As you approach the Dutch light structure from the car park you will see a grouping of English native plants which are contrasted with a planting of introduced species around the teashop terrace. These are planted in the newer, wilder way as, increasingly, it is this interaction between garden and site, between plants native and introduced, and how
things grow in the wild that we are exploring at Denmans. We are on a light, well drained gravelly soil at the foot of the chalk downlands to the north of us, and both Mediterranean and native plants do well here.Following the lead of Joyce Robinson, who arranged her groupings with a minimum of earth showing, we have extended her principle, and continue to explore it using plant material in a wilder way.
The Walled Garden
From the Dutch light greenhouse you enter the walled garden which bursts with foliage masses, old fashioned roses, perennials and herbs in a glorious disarray - foliage colour being as important as flower colour. The old flint walls provide further shelter to an already favoured part of the country, so that the effect is quite stunning. The walled garden is subdivided into compartments, any of which could be transposed to a smaller site.
The Dry Stream Bed
At the far south end of the walled garden is a grassed area dividing a hot sunny corner on the left, and to the right, a dry gravel stream which runs down to a natural pool. The stream bed allows for more random planting in it, simulating what
might really grow in such a spot, for no water runs here. The gravel allows seedlings to overwinter and not rot in damp soil. The following year they are thinned or edited, to allow groupings to mature.
The South Garden
A large pool sits at the bottom of the garden with wild planting beyond and at the sides of it. You will notice that we cut different lengths of grass in this area. The rougher grass has bulbs and wild flowers in it in spring and is mown once a month with a rotary mower, the rest of the grass is cut by a cylinder mower each week. This way we achieve an interesting contrast of texture. As you turn back and come up 'the hill' what was a hot herbaceous corner is now becoming quite shady. It is planted with large grey hostas and purple ligularia, as trees around mature. Beyond this bed are random plantings of bulbs, then aquilegia in late spring, with later white companulas, then blue ceratostigma, with hellebores and our native Iris foetidissima in winter.
The Top Lawn
To the left you can see over the wall Lord Denman's original home. In the summer there is a
cool shaded walk down this side of the garden with to the right a planting of Californian tree poppies (Romneya coulteri). Around a circular pond there is a special planting of tender species, with Acer palmatum Senkaki, and a rare myrtle species (Myrtus apiculata). The lawn is dominated by a tall Metasequoia, the Dawn Redwood. As you go between the conservatory and the cottage there is a fluffy green mimosa tree (Acacia dealbata) on the left; with behind you the greeny flowering cherry (Prunus ukon). In front of the conservatory are two Judas trees (Cercis siliquastrum). The conservatory itself is no longer heated. It contains some interesting foliage plants, a selection of succulents and some constantly twittering budgerigars.
Clock House
A gravel path across a lawned area leads to Clock House - the old stable block, both the home and studio of landscape designer John Brookes. In the corner between it and what was the old carriage house there is a hot and private terrace garden beneath the overhang of a Eucalyptus gunnii. Along the south facing border adjacent are a selection of exotic trees and shrubs. You have now completed the garden circuit and exit through the plant sales area.
Denmans Garden Café
The fully licensed Garden Café (Les Routiers Café of the Year 2005 for London and the South-East) is open daily serving a selection of light lunches, coffees, teas and a variety of delicious cakes. With seating either al fresco or inside in the beautiful covered terrace area, filled with orchids and the gentle strains of classical music in the background. It is open from 10am to 5pm, daily, all year round. There are also exquisite gifts and greeting cards available in the gift shop.
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Opening Times
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(2007 times)
Garden and Plant Centre: Open daily all year round 9.00am - 5.00pm (dusk in winter).Closed 25th, 26th, 27th December and 1st January. Garden Cafe: Open daily all year round 10.00am - 5.00pm (dusk in winter). Closed 25th, 26th, 27th December and 1st January. |
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Admission Charges
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(2007 prices)
Garden:Adult £3.95; Senior Citizen £3.45; Child (4-16yrs) £2.25; Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £11.00. Guided Tours - ring for details; evening visits can be arranged. Plant Centre and Garden Cafe: Free. Lunches for coaches and large groups by arrangement. Parking: Car and coach/bus parking free but coach/bus by arrangement. |
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Directions
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| Situated off the A27 (Westbound) between Chichester 6m and Arundel 5m, adjacent to Fontwell Racecourse. The nearest railway station is Barnham 3m, West Sussex. |
| Show map of Denmans Garden... |
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Nearby Attractions
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Fontwell Park Racecourse
(< 1 Mile)*
Alfred Day laid out the unique figure of eight steeplechase course at Fontwell Park in 1924, creating an important meeting place for the local community. |
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Cass Sculpture Foundation
(3 Miles)*
The Foundation's ever-changing display of sculpture, including over 60 large works, is now recognised around the world. |
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West Dean Gardens
(3 Miles)*
A place of tranquility and beauty in the rolling South Downs. |
| more nearby attractions... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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