Our Garden Charity
Helping to protect and enhance the rare and diverse collection of plants, trees and shrubs at Borde Hill
The Garden Council
In 1965 Colonel Sir Ralph Stephenson Clarke made Borde Hill Garden into a charity. It was an era when several important stately homes with established historical gardens were joining the National Trust. However, Sir Ralph wanted the internationally important horticultural collection at Borde Hill to remain in family ownership to allow future members of the family to continue the established history of collecting and curating rare and exotic plant species.
Sir Ralph also deeply recognised the importance of continuing and expanding, the public benefit that had started in 1927 when Borde Hill was one of the founding gardens to open annually for the National Gardens Scheme.
To that end, he created the Garden Council who meet quarterly to share their expertise and advice. The original members included nominees from:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
- The Forestry Commission
- The Royal Horticultural Society
The members today include representatives from:
- Royal Botanic Garden Kew – Wakehurst Place
- Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
- The Royal Horticultural Society
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- The Chelsea Physic Garden
- Stephenson Clarke family representatives
- Exbury Gardens
- Other representatives of the horticultural world bringing skills in propagation, journalism, media, and more.
Our Charity Objectives
The Charity has recently modernised its objectives with a view to:
- Protecting and enhancing the rare and diverse collection of plants, trees and shrubs at Borde Hill
- Promoting and improving the knowledge, practice and understanding of:
- the study and science of botany
- horticulture, including propagation
- the preservation of the listed heritage parkland and related flora and fauna
- our natural environment, and practices to minimise the wider environmental impact
- Connecting communities with the restorative power of nature to improve their mental and physical well-being
- Achieving, and supporting, these aims and objectives by
- operating within the Borde Hill Estate, primarily the Heritage listed Garden and Parkland, or other landscapes in other parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- creating or operating any enabling buildings and facilities
- generating sufficient profits from education, recreation and other leisure, or commercial, activities.
Support Us
As a small, independent Charity, we rely on your kind generosity to help fund our projects and to continue to grow sustainably, protecting our natural heritage for generations to come.
Reinventing Borde Hill is our most ambitious project to date, and your support will help us to achieve these exciting plans and meaningfully benefit our local community.
It would make a huge difference if you would consider supporting us by making a donation – thank you.
Discover the Possibilities
Become a Member
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Our Garden & Grounds
Set within 383 acres of heritage listed Parkland, our formal Garden captivates and delights visitors with a series of intimate 'Garden rooms'. Beyond the formal Garden you can explore Woodland walks, the South Park and our lakes with outstanding views across the Sussex High Weald.
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Support Us
As a small, independent Garden Charity, we rely on your kind generosity to help fund our projects and to continue to grow sustainably, protecting our natural heritage for generations to come. 'Reinventing Borde Hill' is our most ambitious project to date and your support will help us to achieve exciting plans to benefit our local community.
It would make a huge difference if you would consider supporting us by making a donation – thank you.
Read more
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