A WALK ROUND THE GARDEN As you proceed further down the garden you pass through

the Pittosporum hedge and enter the lower garden .

By following the blue marker

posts, points of interest can be found
along the route.

As you enter the gardens from the car park you pass the
tree and shrub area . During the years 1939-1945 parts
of the downs were being cultivated with arable crops
and mole ploughed growing Brassicas and Potatoes with
success. After 1945 the area was planted with shrubs and
trees mostly with fine berries such as Viburnum, Euonymus,
Cotoneaster and Sorbus.
On the left is the Herb Garden standing on the site
of an old glasshouse where a range of culinary herbs are
grown.
Walking along the main path are the Prunus serrula or
Himalayan Birch Bark Cherries originally planted in
1938 to give interest during the winter months with their
decorative peeling bark.
We now enter the Chalk Pit , this was used in former
days to obtain chalk to lime surrounding fields. In 1909
an experiment was begun to find out which plants would
grow on the chalk downland soil. At first Lilacs, Junipers
and other shrubs were planted in the chalk rubble and as
these succeeded further planting was carried out with the
formation of the rock garden and ponds.
The next stop is a fine Rose Rosa brunonii (The
Himalayan Musk Rose), cascading down the cliff face
close to the Bamboo Pond . The Bamboo Arundinaria
nitida was planted in 1910 when the Bamboo Pond was
created.
The Cave Pond was also built in 1910 on the site of
a pig sty. When the sty was cleared an old lime kiln was
discovered.
A pond and rock garden were then created with the help
of Clarence Elliott, an authority on rock gardens. The pond
is cement lined extending back into the cave.
As you leave the Chalk Garden you pass down to the
Hellebore Bank at its best in March and April with
many different forms of Helleborus orientalis flowering
with colours from chocolate to pink and green.
On the north corner stands an Acer griseum (The Paper
Bark Maple) bought at Veitch’s sale in 1912. This is
a shapely tree has wonderful orange/red bark which is
always peeling. As you pass up to the Rose Garden
many old fashioned Roses fill the beds, with under planting
of the hardy Geraniums.
Leaving the Rose Garden you enter the Beech Wood , which
was badly damaged in the great storm of 1987, but now
largely replanted with new trees. In the spring the woods
are carpeted with spring flowers, Snowdrops, Daffodils,
Primroses and Bluebells.
Leaving the centre of the Beech Wood you pass down into
the middle garden , in these island beds a wide range
of plants can be found, especially the spring flowering
bulbs. Daffodils, Crocus, Snowdrops and Anemone blanda
abound.
In early summer Tree Paeonies, Bearded Iris and cultivars of
Day Lilies are followed by Philadelphus and Agapanthus.
Special plants to look out for in this section are the Judas
Tree, Cercis siliquastrum with deep pink flowers borne
along the branches. Close by is Rosa ‘Highdownensis’
raised by Sir F. Stern and named after Highdown. fine almost carpet display. Leading back towards the car
This beautiful weeping tree was planted by Queen Mary
in 1937. This Cotoneaster came from Wisley Garden
in 1922 (now lost). These raised acid beds create
conditions suitable for ericaceous plants such as Camellias
and Rhododendrons.
The soil is deeper in this section and enables a wider range
of plants to thrive. Many Tree Paeonies and herbaceous
plants grow well. Early summer highlights are the many
cultivars of Bearded Iris which Sir Frederick Stern raised,
followed by Agapanthus, Foxtail Lilies and Autumn Crocus
at the end of the summer season.
Rose ‘Wedding Day’ is a fragrant rambling rose raised
by Sir F. Stern in 1950. It has large clusters of flowers which
are yellow in bud, opening to creamy white fading to pink.
It flowered for the first time on Sir F. Stern and Lady Stern’s
wedding anniversary and grows over a pergola in one of
the island beds.
To the south of the lower garden beds is a long Rose
Pergola which has been restored and planted with many
of the old cultivars originally grown at Highdown. Under
the shade cast by the large Ilex Oak trees is a row of
Fig Trees. Unfortunately the Figs fail to form many edible
fruits.
As you walk through the lower garden you will find
Arbutus x andrachnoides or Strawberry Tree. The tree
is now growing back after being very badly damaged in
the great storm.
The many Indian Horse Chestnuts (Aesculus indica)
flower in June and have formed fine trees to the south of
the lower garden.
The drive in Spring with the banks of Daffodils gives a
park stands Highdown Towers which was built in 1820
and sited 100ft. above sea level. The house was the home
of Sir F. Stern and Lady Stern until 1967 when the house
and garden was given to Worthing Borough Council.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Tree & Shrub area

The Herb Garden
Himalayan Birch Bark Cherry Avenue
The Chalk Pit
Himalayan Musk Rose
The Bamboo Pond
The Cave Pond
Hellebore Bank
The Paper Bark Maple
The Rose Garden
The Beech Wood < Height barrier

Judas Tree
Greek Wind Flower
Rosa ‘Highdownensis’
Middle Garden Island beds
Tree planted by Queen Mary
Cotoneaster serotinus glaucophyllus (now lost) Note two way traffic >
Acid Beds
Pittosporum tenuifolium
Rose ‘Wedding Day’
Lower Island Beds
Fig Border
Strawberry Tree
Indian Horse Chestnut
The Drive
Highdown Towers

and labour saving are both features in this garden.
and an underground watering system. Water conservation
Also labour saving features with wood and bark mulches
hardy Geraniums, the theme is of white, blue and green.
feature and soft plantings with grasses, shrubs and many
as a small area of peace and tranquillity with a water
the central Sundial. The whole garden has been designed
gardens i.e. The Rose Pergola, Wisteria Arch, Patio seat and
garden contains features purchased with donations to the
Bungalow Garden, being opened in April 2000. The
This garden was created from a disused section of the
The Millennium Garden
Friends of Highdown Gardens
The Council’s Parks Section encourages community
involvement within the town’s open spaces and gardens.
Friends of Highdown Gardens have recently been formed
but more ‘friends’ are needed.
Volunteers meet once a month on a Friday morning to
assist with a variety of light conservation work within the
gardens and any spare time that you may have would
be rewarded just by being in such a stunningly beautiful
garden.
For further information please contact:
Chris Beardsley
Highdown Manager
Tel: (01903) 501054
Email: chris.beardsley@worthing.gov.uk
Web Site: www.highdowngardens.co.uk
The Green Flag Award
The Gardens have been awarded the Green Flag Award for
2008/2009.
The award by the Civic Trust and backed by the Government
is a Nationwide Award scheme for Parks and Gardens.
Strict criteria have to be achieved for the award, such as
providing an environmental friendly garden with green
waste recycling and no use of peat. Also the garden must
provide a friendly, safe and welcoming place for visitors
with information and participation from local groups.
We are committed to continue to achieve these aims in the
future for the enjoyment of our visitors.
Worthing Borough Council.
Stern carried out his wishes and left the garden to
On the death of Sir Frederick in 1967, aged 83, Lady
Ernest Henry Wilson.
particularly plants collected by Reginald Farrer and
collections can still be seen in the garden today,
plants. Many of the original plants from their early
Himalayan regions collecting rare and beautiful
many expeditions were going out to China and the
Paeonies and Bearded Iris. The garden was created during a period when
Snowdrops, Crocus, Anemones and Daffodils followed by
for ‘Services to Horticulture’.
there is a colourful succession of spring bulbs such as
Sussex Chalk Pit. He received his knighthood in 1956
The garden looks its best in spring and early summer when
of its time out of the uncompromising surrounds of a
Stern to create together one of the famous gardens
he married in 1919, that he settled down with Lady
garden at Highdown as early as 1909, it was not until
Lloyd George. Although he had begun to make his
war served for a brief period as Private Secretary to
and gained the M.C. and Mil.O.B.E. At the end of the
He served in the Middle East in the First World War
jockey in steeplechases.
in his library, and partly to riding as an amateur
game hunting in Africa, many trophies used to hang
are beautiful and include the sea and the South Downs.
First World War he devoted his time partly to big
deemed a National collection. The views from the gardens
Sir F Stern was a man of many interests, before the
rare plants and trees. In fact the whole garden has been
in the area, but it is one that offers a unique collection of O.B.E. M.C. F.L.S. V.M.H.
Highdown Gardens is one of the least known about gardens Sir F. Stern
History of Gardens
Highdown Chalk Gardens
How to get to Highdown
Highdown
Gardens
Ferring Goring
Note: Highdown Gardens is accessed via a dual carriageway
(A259) so if you are travelling westwards you cannot make a
right turn. Proceed to the roundabout, and return back on the
same road eastwards. Highdown will be on your left.
Opening times
April - September Mon-Sun 10am - 6pm
October - November Mon-Fri 10am - 4.30pm
December - January Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm A unique and beautiful garden on downland
February - March Mon-Fri 10am - 4.30pm countryside overlooking the sea
FREE ADMISSION
Toilets, Free Car Park
The physically challenged should
please enquire before visiting the gardens.
No Dogs in Gardens Please
Except Guide Dogs
Coaches by appointment only
Tourist Information Centre
For further information about other places of interest in the
area, accommodation, events and entertainment, please
contact Worthing Tourist Information Centre
Tel : 01903 221066
email: tourism@worthing.gov.uk
Web Site: www.visitworthing.co.uk
Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HL (Oct-April)
Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PX (May-Sept) THIN
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Photographs of Highdown by Richard Packham
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© Borough Council of Worthing - August 2008 HIGHDOWN
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This leaflet was printed on recycled paper AR EN
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Help to save trees. Please pass on to a friend.