Pashley Manor Gardens

The gardens at Pashley Manor sprawl across thirty acres of pure horticulture - and they're genuinely worth the drive from Battle. You won't find manicured formal gardens here so much as somewhere that actually feels lived in, with proper trees, borders stuffed with colour, and a sense that the owners genuinely care about what grows where. Walking the grounds takes a good couple of hours if you're not rushing, longer if you stop to sit on one of the benches dotted about.

It's the kind of place that appeals most to serious gardeners and anyone who gets genuinely excited by unusual plants - there's a strong emphasis on colour combinations and seasonal interest rather than showy showmanship. Families with young children might find it peaceful rather than thrilling; teenagers will almost certainly be bored within twenty minutes. But if you're camping at Hopgarden or Glassenbury nearby, and you've got a morning to kill on a decent day, it beats sitting in a café in town.

Admission is charged and opening times vary by season, so check ahead before you go. The manor itself isn't open to the public, so you're really here for the gardens. Go in late spring or early summer when everything's in full bloom - autumn can feel a bit thin after the main flowering season. There's a tea room and plant shop if you need sustenance or want to take cuttings home.