I have slowly started to visit some of the places on our Summer days out bucket list, one of which is High Beeches Gardens. Now before I start I am going to own up to being disappointed, so I have been in two minds whether or not to write this. However I have because I want to be honest with my readers, and I do think we probably visited at the wrong time of year.
We arrived at lunchtime and went to the tea room first as the gardens don’t open until 1pm. There are picnic benches which you can use before you go into the gardens if you bring your own. They do not allow picnics in the gardens themselves. The tea room is a good size and has a lovely outside eating area. We opted to eat inside because the garden is reached by steps. The decor is a little dated, however the service was very good. For the first time in a long time someone carried a tray to our table for us and basically waited on us hand and foot. They offer tea and cake (of course) but also various sandwiches, jacket potatoes and a couple of options for hot meals. I had a slice of chocolate and fudge cake, it was homemade and delicious.
We dropped the buggy back into he car and went into the gardens. The gardens themselves are not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs so Kipper went in a sling. Its also reasonably hilly so if you have a young toddler be warned you are going to do a lot of carrying. Although there are plenty of benches around for you to catch your breath. First the positive it is extremely tranquil and would be a lovely place to sit and read or have some down time. However for me gardens are all about flowers, to be fair it sells itself as woodland and water garden so I should have anticipated that there may not be a lot of colour. I can imagine that when the rhododendrons are out there is a feast of colour and will make sure our next visit is the right time of year.
As you come into the gardens you are presented with a wild flower meadow which is home to some wild orchids. Again these are now out of season and with the weather we have been having the meadow looked a little dry. Never the less Monkey enjoyed looking around and was fascinated by the stretches of water, we did have trouble locating the waterfall. At four Monkey found the hills hard work, so there was probably parts of the garden we didn’t get to.
There is a bird trail which consists of little wire birds hidden amongst the trees and plants, put on specifically for the children. We struggled to find them and only managed one in the end. I think in total we were probably in the garden for around an hour and a half before he gave up walking up hills and asked to go home.
So my recommendation would be save this one for ‘me time’ and leave the kiddies at home. Try to visit when the rhododendrons are out and definitely check out the home made bakes in the tea room.
Things you need to know:
- The gardens are open 1-5pm every day except Wednesdays, April to November with the last admission at 4.30pm
- The Tea Room opens at 10am
- Prices are £7.50 for adults and children under 14 are free, during July and August entry is free for RHS members during the week
- Address – High Beeches Lane, West Sussex, RH17 6HQ
- You can find out more information on their website – www.highbeeches.com
Have you visited any gardens recently? I would love to hear all about them in the comments below.
Linking up with CountryKids
21 Responses
We’ve been to a couple of places recently where they were lovely but we would have enjoyed them more if L had been with his grandparents or at nursery. Either too much hard walking or too much information that we would have liked to have read. It happens. I’ve got a summer days out list I’m working my way through as well. It’s nice to have plans. Xx
It’s hard isn’t it, I went to another garden which was NT and they had a great kids trail on. We hadn’t brought Monkey as it was quite a drive and I instantly felt guilty!! Ooo is it on the blog will check it out. Thanks for stopping by xx
It’s a shame that it didn’t quite live up to your expectations. Your photos are lovely though. #countrykids
We don’t really do gardens – I’m not a gardener – although now I’m interested in photography, I’m more interested in going purely for the photo opps. I did go to Hidcote last week – National Trust, so of course it was done beautifully – and a riot of colour at this time of year. Funny that this one wasn’t – you’d think they’d mix it up more for through the year. #countrykids
It does look beautiful. I think my LO would be bored here, she needs to run around and see a lot to keep her occupied. #countrykids
It’s a shame it wasn’t quite what you were expecting, it sounds like it should definitely be somewhere you head off when you want to a have a quiet afternoon by yourself. It looks like the small amount the gardens you managed to explore with Monkey managed to keep him interested but it’s a shame that the gardens were so uneven that it tired him out quickly.
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
Will bear it in mind if we are in the area in future. Bet it looks amazing when the rhodos are in bloom #CountryKids
Awww lovely photos but thanks for the honest advice! Always handy to hear other people’s experience of the place! #countrykids
Aw thank you, I’m getting fussier in my old age!! ? thanks for stopping by xx
You would wouldn’t you. We went to the Eden Project and the photo opportunities were were very good there. I’m just getting into photography hoping to do another course soon. Thank you for stopping by xx
Yeah I think Monkey was too! Thanks for stopping by xx
Yes I think I’m going to head back when they are. Thank you for stopping by xx
Aw thank you, yes I always feel a little bad reporting on something that doesn’t quite live up to expectations. But then if it was me going somewhere I had read about on a blog and it wasn’t an honest account I wouldn’t be very happy! Thank you for stopping by xx
I’m a bit like this with gardens, I love herbaceous borders with colour throughout the summer so I get quite bored with woodland type gardens. We went to one today that was a water garden and my son was acting up a lot, wouldn’t hold hands and with all the water around I thought to myself, this is one for just me! Great picture of the damselfly.
Lovely photos! Obviously a shame for you but best to be honest and maybe you could head back there another time child free (if possible) and enjoy a relaxing walk around 🙂 #countrykids
Sorry to hear that you were a little disappointed by your visit, your photos look beautiful so you have captured the best of it. I hope that you manage to visit again and see whether it is a better visit without the children.
Aaaw, but your photos are beautiful and that is definitely perfect for “me time” .;) #countrykids
Fingered crossed!! Thank you for stopping by xx
I’m putting it on the calendar for when the rhododendrons are out! Thanks so much for stopping by xx
Thanks, yes definitely a me time place! Thanks for stopping by xx