The best time to visit Pashley Manor Tulip Festival

If you are looking to visit Pashley Manor for the tulip festival the first question you may ask yourself is – when is the best time to visit Pashley Manor Tulip festival? Especially at the moment when the pandemic is making it vital to book your tickets in advance.  And you do need to book your tickets early to Pashley Manor Tulip Festival as their tickets sell out fast.  I am not surprised as it is the best place to see tulips in Sussex. 

The best time to visit Pashley Manor Tulip Festival

The tulip festival runs between the middle of April until the first may bank holiday. Now the problem with tulips which they plant fresh each year is that so much is dependant on the weather. This year the cold weather, in particular, has meant this year that they are a little later than normal. You do need to consider this when planning your visit. We visited towards the beginning of the two-week window and found that many of the tulips were not in flower yet. Some were and stunning. I think they must plant the tulips in such a way to ensure that no matter what time you visit during the period. Some will be in full flower to make sure that everyone gets to see some of the gardens at their best.

Visiting in the first week Pashley Manor Tulip Festival

When I first found out that there was a tulip festival in East Sussex I knew we would have to visit. We visited Pashley Manor Tulip Festival in 2021. When we arrived there were some tulips at the front of the house in bloom and some beautiful pots planted up around the pool area. For each pot that was in flower, there was another was still in bud. 

From the pool area, you move forward into the vegetable garden. There was a beautiful display of pink tulips in the vegetable garden. Opposite is the rose garden where around a third were in bloom. Walking through to the herbaceous border I there was large swathes of red and orange. Here many more were in flower and some almost over. This was my favourite part of the gardens by far. It was almost like a mini version of Keukenhof. 

As you walk through to the larger grass areas you will see the house on your right-hand side. The beds in front of the house were half blooming and half in bud. But still served as a lovely backdrop to the house and veranda. Where it is possible to sit and have tea and cake. I can definitely vouch for the scones.

The grounds of Pashley Manor

As well as the tulips there is plenty to see in other areas of the gardens. There is the old moat and island which has a very cute iron bridge. It is possible to walk all the way around the lake. Having taken both of the boys when they were little they enjoyed spotting the ducks and black swans that can often be found upon it. There are several other ponds with fountains to wander around. As well as the woodland track wherein the Spring you can also see bluebells. There are often a number of sculptures placed around the grounds for interest as well. 

Pashley Manor Tulip Festival what to expect

As part of the Tulip festival when you arrive you are given a  buy list. Which details the different tulips on display each with a price. It is possible to place an order on exit and there is a tent showing all the varieties available, even those which have yet to come into flower. Prices vary from £5 to £20 and you can buy bulbs in multiples of 10 of 50. 

You can book your tickets to Pashley Manor online on their website. It costs £12.50 a ticket for the tulip festival. At other times Pashley Manor Gardens is on the Gardeners World 2 for 1 offer. Find out more on their website. 

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