The Garden at Nymans

Set high above the Sussex Weald the garden holds a stunning collection of magnolias, eucryphias, camellias and rhododenrons, together with one of the largest collections of South American plants in the UK. Planted in the 1890s by German émigré, Ludwig Messel, the spirit of the Messel family is reflected in the constantly evolving plant designs. With views of the rolling Wealden landscape in one direction and the South Downs in the other, the garden combines the formality of topiary and a rock garden with the informality of sweeping naturalistic planting and drifts of colourful plants.

Winter in the garden at Nymans

A view across the garden in winter

The garden 

Romantic ruins, intimate gardens, and internationally recognised plant collections against a backdrop of Wealden woodland - Nymans is a garden lover's paradise.

Winter trees at Felbrigg

Winter walks at Nymans 

Grab your walking boots and blow away the cobwebs with a winters stomp in the woods or a brisk walk in the garden.

Snowdrops in early spring

Spotting snowdrops at Nymans  

The discrete delights of the snowdrop are a great reason to brave the cold and walk the meandering paths of the garden, where the warm anticipation of spring is encapsulated by swathes of white flowers bathed in fleeting sunshine.

What to see in the garden over the coming months

View across the lawn towards Nymans house

A Garden in the Ruins  

In the East Courtyard you'll be able to find out more about our plans to create a new garden in the ruins. This three year project will reveal the story of the Messel family and their passion for plants. The garden will open in the New Year.

Colourful stems along Winter Walk.

What to see in the garden in January  

With many deciduous trees now empty of leaves, views open up within the garden and looking out across the Wealden landscape. Winter blooms & colourful foliage are some of the attractions at this time of year.

Early spring crocus bulbs like Ruby Giant bring colourful cheer to the gardens at Charlecote

What to see in the garden in February  

A visit to Nymans at this time of year could hardly be complete without a wander down Winter Walk, taking in the fullness of the fragrance, the vivid and varied colours and range of fascinating shapes and textures.

Plant conservation at Nymans

Charlene Chick at Nymans

The Nursery 

Nymans is a grade II listed garden because of it's significant plant collection. We have one of the most interesting and diverse collections of plants in The National Trust.

Nymans Eucryphia x nymansensis Nymans Silver

The South American Comber Collection 

Harold Comber's plant hunting expeditions of the last century, to far flung places across the globe, form the basis of the significant Chilean collection you'll find at Nymans today.

" I think that the garden may fitly be described as the triumph of hope. It was always full of experiments, it gave endless pleasure, and if you walk through it, you will see the careful thought that was bestowed on each plant."
- Muriel Messel, 1918, writing in A Garden Flora

Garden news

Using harvested rainwater to water in the nursery

BBC Gardener's World at Nymans 

Gardener's World presenter, Mark Lane, met the garden team to get the low down on how we garden sustainably, making Nymans one of the greenest places cared for by the National Trust.

The team collecting in the field

Following in the footsteps of the Plant Hunters  

In January 2018 representatives from horticultural and botanical institutions made a field trip to Tasmania, following in the footsteps of plant hunter Harold Comber and his trip to of the 1930s.