Denmans Garden

Formerly home to the great John Brookes MBE, one of the UK’s foremost landscape designers, Denmans Garden is situated in the countryside between Chichester and Worthing, not far from the South coast. This contemporary garden features unusual plants from across the world, with dry riverbeds, a walled garden, gravel gardens and a conservatory, arranged over 4 acres. The plot was converted from a market garden in the 1970s by Joyce Robinson, and the grounds, lying on a south-facing, gentle slope are perfect conditions for gardening.

There are a good variety of plants here, with Mediterranean species doing particularly well as the grounds are sheltered to the north by the South Downs. However, many native species are also grown, attracting pollinators and other wildlife, and contributing to a year-round display of good structure and colour. The relaxed style with its serpentine paths is far from the traditional formality associated with many English gardens, but strong geometric shapes punctuate the swathes of undulating plants to bring a sense of order to this beautiful landscape.

There is a plant centre which sells unusual plants and a charming gift shop here, which are well worth a visit, and the tea rooms will reopen after COVID-19 restrictions have ended.