The final tour of 2017 took place at Penshurst Place House and Gardens on 12th July.  CPRE members and friends enjoyed a private tour, followed by afternoon tea.  We wish the acting Head Gardener who gave an excellent tour of these beautiful gardens, showing off their summer blooms, every success in his application to become the Head Gardener.

On June 8th a private visit was made to Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden.

Tom Hart Dyke gave a very passionate account of how he created his unique and fascinating World Garden in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle. He vividly described his time in captivity during a plant hunting expedition in the Colombian jungle in the year 2000. It was during this time that he planned his World  Garden which has now developed into an amazing collecting of rare an beautiful plants.

When I booked this visit I was not envisaging one of the wettest Junes on record. The afternoon visit was preceded by a night and morning of heavy rain and strong winds.

Nestled in the South Downs National Park near Alfriston is the beautiful garden of Follers Manor. Enjoying some unusually  fine weather we were able to marvel at the naturalistic planting and landscaping of a garden that was only begun in 2004.

On July 17, we visited Downderry Nurseries to see their lavender farms. The day we visited, the nursery had just been filmed by the BBC for Gardner's World.

Wootton Manor visit June 2014

The childhood home of Elizabeth David, the Cookery Writer. Mr Colin Brent gave us a very informative account of this beautiful 17th Century house. An additional wing was added in the early twentieth century.

Members enjoying a sumptuous lunch prepared by Sabrina Harcourt, the current owner of Wootton Manor and niece of Elizabeth David. She devised a menu based on the recipes of her aunt.

Relaxing on the terrace in front of the house.

This talk and tour took place in March 2014. Photos from the tour are in the gallery below.

Photos from the CPRE Sussex visit to Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Facility on 9 April are below.

9.45am Tuesday 6 May 2014

North Quay
Newhaven
BN9 OAB

Free visit
Max 15 people – approximately 1hr 30

2pm Wednesday 9 April 2014
2pm Wednesday 30 April 2014

Lower Hodden Farm
Peacehaven 

£2 to be paid on the day
Max 12 people per visit