The Nymans Gardens is one of the foremost among the beautiful parklands in Sussex, and is a must-visit among things to see in Gatwick London. The estate appears on the side of a sprawling valley only 11 kilometres away from Copthorne Hotel Effingham Gatwick, partly shaded by the woods of the Weald, and comprises over 600 acres containing woodlands, farmland and formal gardens.

The layout of the gardens consists of several “rooms”, within which are contained exotic and valuable plants, bounded by rows of trees or thick hedges. These are laid out on different levels that are connected by gentle grass slopes or stone stairs. The oldest of these smaller gardens is the Wall Garden, while the Rose Garden, the Knot Garden and the Sunk Garden are some of the more popular ones.

The Pinetum was one of the pet projects of the estate’s Regency era owners, leading out into a delightful meadow of wildflowers which in turn overlooks the towering trees of the Arboretum. This area is a blaze of colour in the fall season, when the rest of the grounds wear more subdued hues. The majority of the grounds naturally look their best during the spring and summer, with their borders of topiarised yew and the brilliance of the perennial and annual blooms. Snowdrops and camellias are lovely guests during the winter season, ensuring that the gardens remain a delight and inspiration all year round.

Originally purchased by Ludwig Messel during the late 1800s, the work and care of three generations of the Messel family have gone into the development of the flourishing grounds. The estate passed into the hands of the National Trust a few years after a great fire destroyed much of the manor in 1947. Today, the restored family rooms are open to visitors and the ruins of the house serve to enhance the romantic charm of the surrounding landscape.