Alfriston Clergy House
The first building saved forever for the nation by the National Trust
Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit
We’ve opened more than 135 gardens and parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.
Alfriston in August
Japanese anemone
Japanese anemones are fabulous perennials that help gardens transition from one season to the next. With a flowering season of up to 8 weeks they add colour to borders from mid summer through to autumn
Fairy dust daisy
Opportunist seedlings of the fairy-dust daisy colonise any gaps they find. This pretty spreading, perennial daisy is ideal for planting in the crevices of walls, steps and paving stones. It’ll often flower well into autumn,and is good for a well-drained spot in full sun or partial shade.
Beautiful demoiselle
The beautiful demoiselle damselfly can be seen flitting around fast-moving rivers. The males are metallic blue and the females green, but both have inky dark wings.
Nasturtiums
Not only do these colourful plants look good, but they taste great too – the entire plant is edible. The leaves have a slightly warm peppery flavour similar to watercress and rocket. The flowers are milder with sweet nectar. The seeds, though hot and fragrant, are edible too
Crocosmia
Crocosmia provide a burst of colour late in the season. They flower in red, orange or yellow from June to late summer, above ornamental, strappy, bright green leaves and make an excellent cut flower.
Love-in-a-mist
Nigella is a lovely old cottage garden flower. A favourite for scattering wherever there’s a gap in the flower border, it bears masses of sky-blue flowers on upright stem with ferny foliage.
Medlar tree
This attractive ornamental tree can be found in the orchard. This unusal shaped fruit is tart if eaten raw, but if left to 'blet' can be used to make sweet jellies or puddings.
Globe artichokes
Globe artichokes are attractive architectural plants grown for their large purple edible flower buds and ornamental beauty. Their buds are delicious when cooked and eaten.
Mulberry tree
The mulberry tree spreads as it grows and becomes attractively crooked and gnarled with time, making it an architectural feature in any garden. The tasty fruit make delicious puddings.
