Stunning Sussex garden open to public for the first time

By Juliet Mead
Published 8th Jun 2021, 12:57 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2021, 16:11 BST
Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115227001Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115227001
Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115227001
A stunning garden spanning 1.5 acres is now open to the public on a weekly basis for the first-time.

There is also the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Arlington Bluebell Walk Wood out of season, something never before offered to visitors.

Bates Green Garden at Arlington, near to Hailsham is part of the 130-acre farm, which first came into the McCutchan family in 1921, having been part of the Michelham Priory Estate.

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John McCutchan’s late wife Carolyn started work on the Garden back in 1968. She was a self-taught keen plantswoman and created a colourful and tranquil garden, full of unusual plants and shrubs.

Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115043001Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115043001
Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115043001

From 1988 she annually opened her garden under the National Garden Scheme (NGS) and for other charities.

Sadly 2015 was her last year, but now it is going to be open every Wednesday from June 9 until October 27.

Carolyn was ill for seven years before her death in December 2019, when her former student of 2002 and friend Emma Reece from Burgess Hill, came with her partner to offer their condolences to John.

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Emma and John decided to start a project to restore Bates Green Garden back to its former glory. Emma with part time help, keeps this garden looking absolutely fabulous, as it is a varied and diverse garden designed for colour all year round.

Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115103001Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115103001
Bates Green Garden in Arlington is now open to the public SUS-210806-115103001

The adjoining five-acre conservation meadow has mown paths, so visitors can enjoy the many wildflowers until it is cut for hay in early August.

John said: “I am thrilled that Bates Green Garden will be open to the public every Wednesday between now and the end of October from 10am until 4pm.

“We have just enjoyed a lovely five weeks opening the Arlington Bluebell Walk, with a successful online booking system, which meant we could welcome around 12,000 visitors. Now Emma and I feel the time is right to open it to the public one day a week.

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