RACING & GREEN
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Photography and lectures
Fittleworth House Information
Fittleworth House Gardens 2018
Fittleworth House Open Days 2025
The remaining two open days for the NGS have unfortunately been cancelled as have all remaining garden visits for 2025. This is due to head gardener Mark Saunders suffering a serious health scare from which he is expected to make a full recovery. The garden is closed for the rest of the season but will re-open in 2026 as usual. Please contact us here or via the NGS website for details of next years openings which should be known from September onwards -www.ngs.org.uk
Thank you very much for your understanding.
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Fittleworth House - a brief history
Fittleworth House sits in a conservation area on the edge of the South Downs National Park in West Sussex. The current house dates from the 18th century and has been in the same family ownership for over sixty years.
The main features of the garden are a fully productive working walled kitchen garden, growing a wide range of flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. There is a smaller walled area containing the large glasshouse, potting sheds and cold frames. The Georgian house (not open) is covered by a glorious Wisteria whilst nearby stands one of the most magnificent Cedar of Lebanon's in the South of England.
A natural looking stream flows from the top of the garden through rocks, beautiful plantings and long grass areas, creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.
At 3 acres, the garden is not huge but it is very labor intensive and is managed by head gardener Mark Saunders and his son Peter Saunders with help from Alan Seeley and a small team of volunteers
Flowers play a big part of the garden with beds of Roses, a 150ft long Annual and Dahlia mixed display border, a wide range of annuals in pots and mixed herbaceous borders and some beautiful grasses. Springtime brings Tulips, Daffodils, Rhododendrons and Camellia's whilst the birds sing and days lengthen.
Nature forms a great part of the way the garden is planted and managed. A wildlife pond, long grass areas, Oak trees, nesting boxes and bird feeders all help to attract wildlife which has a beneficial effect on the plants.
The garden is run along natural lines and compost plays a major part of that with over 10 tons being added to the vegetable beds each year alone. Because of this we do very little watering in the garden except for potted plants and new plantings.
In Autumn the estate hosts the Fittleworth village bonfire which raises much needed funds for the local school. The fire is built with the help of the school children and on the night there is also a good firework display and plenty of food and drink.
The garden has been opening for the National Garden Scheme since 1999, and has so far helped raise over £75,000 for their various charities.
The garden has recently featured in the English Garden magazine, with an upcoming feature in Gardens Illustrated due in 2025
