Nymans Garden

Nymans in Handcross, just a couple of miles south of Pease Pottage, is one of the most attractive National Trust properties in Sussex.

Nymans contains:

• a diverse and well-maintained garden,
• extensive woodland,
• a large mock-Tudor house, part of which is inhabited and part of which has been a picturesque ruin since a fire in 1947.

Facilities

• a shop and garden centre,
• a restaurant,
• toilets,
• car parking,
• disabled access,
• wheelchairs and a mobility buggy,
• iPod audio guides.

From 1 February 2025, dogs other than guide dogs are not permitted in the garden, though they are allowed in the woods, where they must be kept on leads.

Events

Events take place throughout the year, including:

• open-air theatre,
• croquet,
• children’s events,
• photography workshops,
• horticultural workshops.

Opening Hours (2025)

The Nymans estate is open from 10am to 5pm. Some areas, such as the gallery and the second-hand bookshop, open an hour or so later or close an hour or so earlier. The car park opens at 9am and closes at 6pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.

The garden stays open until 8pm on Fridays over the summer, and special events such as theatrical performances take place in the evenings.

The house, but not the garden, is closed over the winter.

Admission Prices (2025)

• National Trust members: free
• Adults (i.e. those aged 18 or over): £20.00
• Children aged between 5 and 17: £10.00
• Children aged under 5: free
• One adult and up to 3 children: £30.00

There are discounts for adults and children in groups of 15 or more, which must be booked in advance:

• Adults: £18.05
• Children: £8.10

Visitors may opt for Gift Aid admission: the payment of a small extra fee which allows the National Trust to recover a tax subsidy on the whole amount paid.

Residents of Slaugham parish used to be able to apply for local residents’ card which entitled them to free admission to Nymans. From 2015, this was available only to residents of Handcross. The National Trust website appears to contain no information about this, so you may need to contact Nymans directly to see whether the scheme still exists.

Location, Directions and Parking

Nymans Garden in Handcross is easily accessible:

• By car: Nymans is on the B2114, just south of Handcross High Street on the way to Staplefield, and contains a sizeable car park.
• By bus: The Handcross Community Bus and Metrobus service 271 (between Crawley and Haywards Heath) stop almost directly outside the entrance. Metrobus service 273 (between Crawley and Brighton) stops near Truggers, a couple of minutes’ walk away. For up-to-date information, see:
  • https://www.metrobus.co.uk/services/MB/271
  • https://www.metrobus.co.uk/services/MB/273
• By bike: National Cycle Route 20 passes along the B2114 immediately outside Nymans.
• The nearest railway station is at Crawley, about 5 miles to the north. Three Bridges railway station is about 6 miles away, Balcombe station is 5 miles away, and Haywards Heath station about 7 miles away. The only direct link to Nymans by public transport from a railway station is by bus from Crawley, whose bus station is directly opposite the railway station. You can expect to find taxis at all of these stations apart from Balcombe.

The car park, which opens one hour before the garden is open, contains eight electric vehicle charging points. For details, see https://rawcharging.com/drivers.

Visitors arriving at Nymans by bicycle, public transport or electric car used to be able to claim a free cup of tea or coffee in the restaurant, but this feature is no longer mentioned on the National Trust website.

Other Gardens near Pease Pottage

• Leonardslee in Lower Beeding
• High Beeches in Handcross

See the Pease Pottage Area Directory »