Hog's Trough Bottom

The name alone is enough to raise an eyebrow, but Hog's Trough Bottom near Brighton is a proper working garden that rewards a visit if you're already in the area. It's not some grand stately home setup - it's genuine, functional, and feels like stepping into someone's real horticultural world rather than a polished tourist attraction.

What you're getting here is a chance to see how serious gardeners actually work their land. There's genuine character in that. The space shows real knowledge and effort rather than the manicured perfection you often get elsewhere. You'll spend maybe an hour here, longer if you're the sort who wants to chat with whoever's around about growing techniques and plantings.

It's ideal for keen gardeners rather than casual visitors. Small kids might find it dull pretty quickly unless they're already interested in where things come from. If you're camped at Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just 1.8 miles away, or one of the other sites dotted round Sussex, this makes a low-pressure morning or afternoon activity - the kind of thing you'd slot in between longer days at bigger attractions.

Best call ahead before heading over to check it's actually open and what the entry situation is. South Coast gardens can be temperamental about visitor times. It's worth a short drive from Brighton though if you're genuinely interested in seeing how things grow, rather than just snapping photos for Instagram.