In the late 1800s Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans Estate in the Sussex High Weald to make a dream family home. Inspired by the wooded surroundings he created a garden with plants collected from around the world. Here this creative family entertained friends and family, enjoyed relaxing, playing and picnicking in the garden and woods. Today it is still a garden lovers' home - a place to relax all year round and enjoy a peaceful country garden.
The house was partially destroyed by fire in 1947 and the romantic ruins of a fairytale gothic mansion remain. Nymans is one of the National Trust's most eco- friendly properties and aims to inspire a more sustainable way of living.
Inspired by the garden lovers' home there is a large shop and plant centre with a special collection of plants grown on site as well as a redesigned café offering a choice of seasonal food,a Grab & Go kiosk in the tea garden and woodland craft sales.
Every day there are guided walks and talks in the garden and woods, a small gallery in the house with changing exhibitions for every season, a secondhand bookshop, shop tastings and mobility tours of the garden and woods. For children there are natural play trails, geocaching in the garden and woods, pick up and go activities and school holiday trails.
Click on photo to enlarge:
