Borde Hill Garden Festival launches this summer in West Sussex

Celebrate life in full bloom at Borde Hill Garden Festival, where the splendour of nature meets aspirational outdoor living. Nestled within the stunning heritage listed Garden in West Sussex, the Festival is set to take place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June and will showcase the best finds for both home and garden.

Just an hour from London, discover over 40 beautifully curated independent stalls with planters, garden furniture, lifestyle trends and artisan accessories, alongside rare and unusual plants from national specialist nurseries. Enjoy eclectic live music on the South Lawn, explore curated talks from leading garden designers and experts, and discover irresistible flavours from Sussex’s best pop-ups.

A Programme of Curated Talks and Fringe Events

Inspired by Borde Hill’s rich history of championing horticultural excellence, a programme of engaging Festival Talks will bring together some of today’s most exciting Garden designers, experts and creatives. The host will be Garden Media Guild Co-Chair, garden writer, columnist, and gardening podcaster Mike Palmer.

Delve into the art of creating ‘Romantic Gardens for the 21st Century’ with a talk from one of the UK’s leading garden designers Jo Thompson, or discover ‘What Makes a Garden’ with internationally acclaimed landscape gardener Jinny Blom whose work draws on conservation and her experience in creating therapeutic spaces and award-winning RHS show gardens. Contemporary British artist Claire Luxton and MTArt founder Marine Tanguy will explore ‘The Nature of Looking: Art, Femininity, and The Natural World’, while practical advice on selecting the perfect houseplant for your home will be led by Forest London sisters Alice and Maddie Bailey.

Errol Fernandes, Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London, will share timely insights in his talk on ‘Gardening for Climate Change’, while Moy Fierheller and Suzi Turner from Knepp Estate will delve into ‘Rewilding the Garden: An Experiment in Maximising Garden Biodiversity’. Alasdair Moore from The Lost Gardens of Heligan will explore the crucial link between ‘Preserving the Past to Protect the Future.’

Fringe events, included in the Festival ticket price, range from talks with leading designer Cath Kidston, ‘A Passion for Pelargoniums’; wine tasting with Festival partner, Wiston Estate; ‘Choosing the Best Roses‘ led by world rose authority Michael Marriott; and a masterclass on crafting a hand-tied bouquet with florist and author, Catherine Foxwell from Floral Evolution. Graeme Corbett, owner of Bloom and Burn floral studio will also demonstrate how to craft a ‘Bowl of Blooms’ – creating a striking centrepiece for any occasion.

Browse the Festival Fringe Events here.

A Global Blend of Gardening and Lifestyle Stalls

Borde Hill’s renowned collection of unusual plants and trees stand as a living testament to the daring Victorian-era plant hunters who scoured all four corners of the world to collect extraordinary specimens. This spirit of adventure infuses the Festival, bringing international flair, contemporary craftsmanship and sustainable living across the artisans, growers, and unique brands to be discovered within a series of beautiful tents.

Explore an exciting range of perennials, shrubs and bulbs from Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens, a leading UK nursery with roots tracing back to the 1960s and specialising in plants for dry or damp conditions. Eleplants Nursery will take you on a botanical journey, offering an exotic collection of unusual specimens from Australia and New Zealand. For those looking to embrace the medicinal power of plants, Earthsong Seeds encourage the tradition of home apothecary with a range of plants that are beneficial to both garden and wellbeing.

Established by Cath Kidston MBE, C.Atherley, harnesses the natural fragrance and health benefits of geraniums, capturing their journey from greenhouse to bottle, with a collection of body products designed to nurture and cleanse.

Tom’s Yard brings timeless charm to the Festival, with rustic Cretan and Italian terracotta pots, while Gabriel Ash’s Cotswolds-based brand, endorsed by the RHS, presents exquisite timber greenhouse designs, renowned for their craftsmanship and use of sustainable materials. Leading Japanese makers Niwaki will showcase their beautiful gardening tools, while Atelier Stella combine mid-century influences from Cornwall, Sweden and Finland with contemporary ceramic homewares and garden sculptures. The international outlook continues with So Souk, offering Egyptian glassware, hand-made Moroccan baskets, and block-printed homeware – everything you need for a vibrant summer tablescape.

Browse the Festival stallholders here.

Advice from the Experts – Making Gardening Accessible for All

Continuing Borde Hill’s legacy of making gardening accessible for all, Head of Horticulture Harry Baldwin will host a panel discussion – an exciting opportunity to put your gardening questions to the experts who will share practical tips and tricks. Additionally, the RHS will be available throughout the weekend to provide invaluable garden advice – an essential resource for those with burning horticultural queries.

Sharing the past, present, and future of horticultural excellence at Borde Hill, expert guides will lead tours of the nationally important Garden. Visitors can discover first hand some of the exotic plants and Champion Trees, grown from seeds gathered on explorations around the world from 1893 onwards, while gaining insights into the Garden’s pioneering propagation programme to safeguard these botanical wonders for future generations.

A Fusion of Live Music, Food & Drink and Family Fun

Throughout the weekend, Festival-goers can soak in the laid-back summer vibe of live jazz music on the South Lawn, while enjoying a refreshing glass of botanical drink Botivo. Featuring a fusion of flavours, the Festival will also host a selection of Sussex’s best pop-ups, including delicious wood-fired sourdough pizzas, Italian, Greek and Egyptian street food and botanical cocktails from the Dog & Duck bar. For a true taste of summer, Festival partner, Wiston Estate will be serving award-winning English sparkling wine amidst the fragrant beauty of Borde Hill’s Rose Garden, where visitors will be surrounded by over 750 David Austin and Gold Standard roses in a breathtaking display of 150 varieties at their peak.

Borde Hill’s beautiful Azalea Ring will inspire children of all ages through outdoor play and nature focused workshops, sowing the seeds for the next generation of plant lovers. Interactive activities and events for children of all ages, will be conveniently located next to the Garden’s Adventure Playground.

Director Jay Goddard (née Stephenson Clarke), 5th generation Family custodian of Borde Hill, says:

“Borde Hill Garden Festival is a hugely exciting new event which seeks to inspire all generations to embrace the wonderful world of nature, making it accessible for all. Join us to celebrate a global collection of the best brands, speakers and plants, while immersing yourself in the beauty of our Garden.”

Whether you’re looking to craft a haven for pollinators, host alfresco gatherings with friends and family, or simply experience the joyous balance of nature in an exquisite setting, Borde Hill Garden Festival has it all on offer. For more information and to buy your tickets, visit here.