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10 Best National Trust Places to visit in Sussex

2022 10 Best National Trust Places to visit in Sussex. We have long been National Trust members and we use it so much that I am even considering lifetime membership. Living in Sussex we have visited almost all the properties in the local area. And these are our favourites and in our opinion the best National Trust properties in Sussex.

Table of Contents

The Best National Trust Properties in Sussex

1. Nymans Gardens

Nymans is a beautiful garden with surrounding woodlands. There is always something new to discover. Although there is no play area the boys love it as there is often a trail or similar on during the holidays. Their favourite parts are the woods and the giant bamboo. The Nymans House is part ruin but you can go into the roofed part. It is not very large so a good option for kids. Over Christmas, they often make the rooms up so that they resemble how they would have been in the 1920s. With formal gardens and herbaceous borders, the flowers are always exquisite. Even in the Winter, you can still find colour. There is a good cafe at the entrance and plenty of grass to have a picnic on in the warmer months. Plus the ice cream is pretty special. It can get very busy in the Summer and although there is now more parking, I would arrive early to make sure you get a spot. You can read more about Nymans below.

Nymans Address – Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB

2. Standen House & Gardens

Another favourite of ours Standen House & Gardens, the crafts family home offers lots to its visitors. With a well-maintained kitchen garden, there is often fruit and vegetables available to purchase. You can go inside the house and enjoy the William Morris wallpaper and various rooms of treasures. I particularly like the conservatory with its tiled floor and the boys like the playroom which can be reached from the side of the garden. The beautiful hillside garden has a lawn which is great for rolling down. There has been a lot of work undertaken in recent years and there is plenty of places to explore including a boothy and a naturalised play area. We have been fortunate enough to visit a couple of years to meet the Green Father Christmas which we would also recommend. Although you do have to book in advance. There is a cafe on site.

Standen House & Gardens address – West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE

3. Bodiam Castle

This has to be my all-time favourite National Trust property. A fairytale castle in East Sussex, Bodiam Castle is about as perfect a castle as you can find. It looks exactly like the ones I use to draw as a child. and that appear storybooks that have fairytale castles in them. Located in the middle of a lake you can reach it via a wooden bridge. With plenty of fish to look at and ducks to feed the boys love it. There is also a bunker which kids can play and a cafe in the car park. There is also an exhibition hall around the back of the castle which gives you some history. And it is possible to climb two of the towers to look out over the countryside. You can read more about our visit below, it really should be on your list.

Bodiam Castle address – Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA

4. Petworth House & Park

You can easily visit Petworth House & Park more than once and still not see it all. The surrounding historic parkland was a perfect escape for us during lockdown. With lots of open space, trees to climb, ponds to explore and deer to spot. It is also one of the finest examples of English landscape designed by Capability brown. There is a separate carpark for the parkland.

Alternatively, you could walk to it from Petworth House itself. You can walk around the house and state rooms, which has vast art collections as well but it has to be with a tour guide. These can sell out quickly so make sure this is your first port of call when you visit. You can book on to a tour when you arrive. Quite often they have various exhibits in the house. Showing some of the finest art collections, when I last visited they had a Turner exhibition. The house is not really suitable for children but stunning if you get a chance to visit. Including the amazing painted ceiling.

Petworth House & Gardens address – Petworth House and Deer Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR

5. Bateman’s

Bateman’s is a Jacobean mansion that was home to one of the literary greats Rudyard Kipling and is set in some lovely grounds and there is also a working mill to explore. When we visited the boys were able to have a go at milling flour of their own. There are some formal gardens including a rose garden and apple trees. As well as beautiful water lilies at the right time of year. It is possible to go into the house. Plus a natural play area for the children to enjoy and a bridge to play pooh sticks. Like many other National Trust properties, there is also a cafe on site. You can read more about our visit below.

Bateman’s address – Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7DS

6. Sheffield Park & Garden

Definitely one for the Autumn Sheffield Park & Gardens puts on a stunning display of different Autumn colour reflected in the water. If you plan on visiting during this time you will need to book in advance. There is a natural play area for the children and also the biggest tree we have ever seen! The children are encouraged to climb it and pose for a photo. There is also a new orientation trail that has ten markers. It is possible to pick up a map at reception. There is also a cafe and shop.

Sheffield Park address – Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QX

7. Wakehurst Place

Wakehurst Botanical Garden is the sister garden to Kew and hosts the largest seed bank in the UK. With a natural play area for the kids to enjoy and a maze there is a lot for the children to do. There are plenty of areas to explore although some areas are quite hilly. With numerous water features, beautiful flowers, bluebells in the Spring and many Rhodendrons and Irises. There is a large cafe and normally an ice cream pop up in the Summer months. Plus a small walled garden. Although you can use your National Trust card to get in for free there is an additional charge of £10 for parking and don’t forget your pennies for the gift shop as there is a wonderful range. Plus you can also hire explorer bags for a small fee.

Wakehurst address – Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN

8. The Lupin Field

A new discovery this year the Lupin Field at Terwick Church in a quiet corner of west sussex. Is a must if you love flower fields. There is not a lot there other than the flowers so perhaps one to stop by on route somewhere else. A great place to pose for photos. You can read more about how to find the field below.

9. Woolbeding Gardens

Woolbeding Gardens is close to the Lupin Field and so you could potentially combine the two. Only open at selected times throughout the year, there is no parking at the property. Instead, you can pick up a free shuttle bus from Midhurst town centre. The car park is council run so you do need to pay the charges. This is not one we have visited yet but I am attracted by the promise of the beautiful gardens.

Address of minibus pick up point or Woolbeing Gardens – Grange Centre car park, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HD

10. Uppark House & Garden

Another property on our must-visit list is Uppark House & Gardens. With a woodland walk and various trails for kids throughout the year, it looks like a wonderful property to explore. It is possible to go into the house on certain days of the week too. We hope to be able to update this post with our visit soon.

Uppark House address – South Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR

There are many National Trust places to visit in Sussex. So many it is difficult to narrow it down to just ten. You may also want to look at the Seven Sisters Country Park close to the place of iconic coastline Birling Gap. Not to mention Ditchling Beacon, South Downs National park, the sand dunes of Camber Sands and Alfriston Clergy House

Let me know your favourite National Trust Properties in the comments below.