Champs Hill gardens welcome hundreds of visitors for open day

The gardens at Champs Hill in Coldwaltham opened for the first time in nine years in support of the National Gardens Scheme.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Aug 2016, 10:38 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:25 BST

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Champs Hill gardens feature over 400 different heathersChamps Hill gardens feature over 400 different heathers
Champs Hill gardens feature over 400 different heathers

The setting of the house is dramatic, sitting high above three disused sand quarries, and enjoys views across the Amberley Wild Brooks, up to the South Downs.

On Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, more than 460 visitors came to explore the gardens. Champs Hill private gardens are 27 acres and feature over 400 different heathers in a natural setting.

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The 27 acres were purchased by Alfred and Margaret Bowerman in the early 1930s to create a retirement home for themselves and the gardens have been developed since 1960, starting around the house with plants suitable for a very sandy soil.

Conifers and heathers were popular at the time and were ideal for the soil’s acid pH and dry, free-draining conditions.

The Bowermans became founder members of the British Heather Society and, over the years, many fellow members from far and wide have visited the garden, interested in seeing the more than 400 different heathers growing in a private garden.

David and Mary Bowerman came to live at Champs Hill in 1986, one year before the devastating hurricane.

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From then on, the garden had to change and clearing away the many fallen trees and debris opened up new vistas and new ideas.

Sculptures were placed throughout the site. In October, 1999, a Music Room was opened, where classical music is performed on approximately 25 evenings in the year.

David and Mary Bowerman were delighted with the success of the weekend, and over £3,000 was raised for the National Gardens Scheme.

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Related topics:South Downs