The garden at Uppark

A neatly trimmed green lawn with a single white wooden chair in the foreground, set in a lush garden filled with dense greenery, shrubs, and trees. Purple flowering bushes and low pink flowers add colour among the foliage in the background. — Summer in the garden at Uppark | © Andrew Butler

Our gardens and meadow are free to enter for everyone. Discover different spaces and lots of places to sit, relax and take in the world around you. The meadow offers views over the South Downs and a picturesque walk around the House.

The 'Present Day' garden at Uppark

In early summer, thousands of native wildflowers appear among the waving grasses of Uppark’s meadow. Set on chalk grassland, the meadow supports a huge variety of wildflowers, from delicate pink pyramidal orchids to ox-eye daisies and yellow rattle. Many different varieties of butterflies flit among the flowers in the meadow, from large white to meadow brown and marbled whites.

The formal areas of the garden are undergoing extensive restoration over the next few years. As we garden in the spirit of Repton, we have removed topiary and planting that are no longer appropriate, and cleared away old tired planting schemes; you will see herbaceous borders in a state of transition, as we introduce new planting schemes, designed to invoke the senses. One of the clearest references we have of Upparks past planting schemes is a quote stating “In no place have I ever seen such accurate attention to olfactory joy”, to evoke this once more we are choosing plants with scented flowers and foliage to delight visitors as they explore the grounds.

A black-and-white illustration of Uppark, West Sussex, called Lord Tankerville's House and Formal Gardens, and created in 1707 by Johannes Kip: — Lord Tankerville's House and Formal Gardens, 1707, by Johannes Kip: an illustration of Uppark, West Sussex | © National Trust

The garden through the ages

The earliest depiction we have of Uppark's gardens comes from 1703 and the time of the Earl of Tankerville. An engraving by Johannes Kip shows a formal layout with walled gardens, rectangular courtyards, and ornamental parterres, complete with the original approach to the house from the east past the pair of service blocks. It's not clear if this image records the gardens as they were or merely an ambition that was never realised.

The 18th century

A sale plan drawn up in 1746 shows that little of the formal Tankerville layout had survived except for the service buildings to the east. By 1750 those too were demolished, to be replaced by the east and west pavilions we see today.

Humphry Repton and Uppark

The garden design you see today is from prominent garden designer Humphry Repton, created in around 1810 for Uppark’s then owner Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh. Repton produced one of his famous Red Books, in which he detailed plans to relocate the entrance to the north side of the house and create a new driveway. The book detailed plans for other intriguing features such as a series of colonnades linking the house to the service buildings and a formal rose garden with pergolas, however there is no evidence to suggest these were ever implemented. He is thought to be responsible for the Dairy and the Coade urn on top of the mound at the top of the north drive as well as relocating the main approach to the house to its present-day location.

We now garden ‘In the spirit of Repton’ replicating his style of landscape and garden design, but adapting to modern day challenges, including climate change and new pests and diseases. We use more modern, healthy, resilient and adaptable varieties of plants that would have been available to Repton and Late Georgian gardens.

‘In no place have I ever seen such accurate attention to olfactory joy as at Uppark. Every room has its depot of odours for permanent use while every window has its Orange Trees and Tuberoses and admits perfume from the surrounding beds of Mignionette and Heliotrope till the whole is an atmosphere of sweets.’

A quote by Humphry Repton, 1815

One of Humphry Repton's plans for the garden at Uppark, West Sussex proposed relocating the driveway to the northern side. The illustration shows a driveway among trees, with deer, leading to a gate. — One of Humphry Repton's plans for the garden at Uppark, West Sussex proposed relocating the driveway to the northern side | © National Trust

Garden features

The Wide Glade

Planted with attractive herbaceous shrubs and flower borders, the garden was designed to lead guests to the front of the house and the views of the South Downs. There is also a notable collection of trees, set amongst formally mown lawns including conifers and stunning flowering specimens of magnolia and Judas tree.

Maps from the 1870s show an extensive path network weaving between the trees. This was covered over in the 20th century and has now been restored to provide greater access to the garden.

The Scented Garden

Enclosed by yew hedging, this secluded area of the garden is plantd with bulbs and annuals, and a mix of old and new rose varieties and is designed to provide scented flowers and foliage throughout the year.

South TerraceThe grass south terraces run along the entire principal front of the house and were the site of formal gardens when the house was first built. In the summer, it is the perfect spot to have a picnic, and to enjoy the views out towards the Solent.

The Meadow

To the south of the house sits the meadow. At its peak in the summer, when it is filled with a variety of wildflowers and butterflies, pathways are cut into the grasses so you can wander right into its heart.

Gothic Seat

Traditionally referred to as ‘The Gothick Seat,’ this ornate covered seating area to the south-east side of the house was most certainly designed by Humphry Repton’s antiquarian architect son, John Adey Repton (c.1811-14). The original colour of the seat is unknown, but this may have been the ‘summer seat’ for the family and their friends to relax on and admire the far-reaching views.

Coade stone urn

Next to the driveway lies a distinctive mound dating from at least the 18th century. It overlooks an open glade surrounded by shrubs and trees, on top of which sits a white Coade-stone Borghese vase. ‘The urn on the mount’, as described by Repton, is partially hidden by box and yew to allow for a delightful surprise when the sun catches the white stone.

Pioneered by the artist and businesswoman Eleanor Coade, the ‘stone’ material is made from a mix of clay, terracotta, silicates and glass and fired for four days, making it hard yet fine enough to carve with the elaborate Greco-Roman relief scene.

Silent Space

Silent Space is a charity that encourages gardens open to the public to reserve an area where visitors can take time to reflect quietly and to enjoy the beauty of the garden and the sounds of nature without distractions.

Uppark’s Garden is small but perfectly formed, overlooking the beautiful South Downs and out to the sea – it’s hard to not feel at peace when you’re here. Further to that, we also have a dedicated space of quiet which can be found in our Scented Garden. A small, hidden part of our garden filled with the beautiful smells and sounds of nature. The area is marked on our visitor maps or do ask a member of the team for directions.

For more information on Silent Space, visit the website
https://silentspace.org.uk

The West Pavilion at Uppark, West Sussex, with a white cupola on top

Discover more at Uppark House and Garden

Find out when Uppark House and Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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Explore the grounds at Uppark

The garden and grounds at Uppark are free to visit. Uppark is perched high on a ridge and offers panoramic views across the South Downs.

A view of the red brick house and parkland at Uppark

Family-friendly things to do at Uppark

The gardens and meadow are free to enter - offering a safe space for families to enjoy.

Four people sit together on a grassy lawn in a park, having a picnic. One person holds a purple drinks bottle while a child in the foreground eats from a lunchbox. Two other children sit nearby with their backs partly to the camera. Trees and buildings are softly blurred in the background, and bags and picnic items are placed on the grass.

The house at Uppark

Take a look inside this classic historical house, filled with exquisite furnishings from all over the world, and discover what life was like below stairs for serving staff.

The south front of the main house showing the steps to the entrance at Uppark House and Garden

Visiting Uppark with your dog

Uppark is a two pawprint rated place. Take a look at what you need to know if you are bringing your four-legged friend with you on a visit, including walking tips, facilities and information on Pooch Passports.

A tan and white corgi stands on a gravel path attached to a red lead, with a green lawn and trees in the background. The dog is facing slightly to the right with its ears upright, while the lead rests across the gravel in front.

The history of Uppark House and Garden

Uppark is a fine example of a 17th-century country house, crowning the South Downs ridge in West Sussex. Cherished by generations of families, Uppark has attracted a succession of colourful owners, residents and visitors including the Fetherstonhaugh family, Emma Hamilton and a young H.G. Wells.