Nymans Gardens
That much of the romance of Nymans was borne out of disaster makes it all the more interesting as a place.
How Nymans was created
Ludwig Messel was a wealthy stockbroker, originally from Germany. Messel bought the fine house at Nymans in 1890 and set about creating a great garden in the enormous 600 acre estate that came with his new home.Messel’s son, Leonard carried on his work and under his ownership Nymans took on the more romantic feel which defines it today.
Nymans Gardens highlights
Nymans Gardens features include its rose garden, temples and a lovely dovecote.There are fine views of the Downs, lakes and a Pinetum stocked with many different types of conifer. The Wall Garden is full of exotic plants and the whole effect is very attractive.
The entire experience is enhanced by the wonderful amount of mature woodland on the Estate which surrounds the Nymans Gardens.
Like Leonardslee nearby, the rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias at Nymans are spectacular in May. There are also many fine specimen plants at Nymans as a result of the interest which Leonard Messel in particular showed in collecting.
The National Trust and Nymans
In 1954 the Messel family decided it would be best if the National Trust took over the running of Nymans Gardens and this they have done ever since, although Leonard Messel’s daughter Anne was Garden Director until 1987.Nymans is a very popular attraction. The garden is open all the year round and the surviving and restored parts of Nymans House can also be visited in the summer.
- Borde Hill
- Denmans Gardens
- Highdown Gardens
- Leonardslee Gardens
- Nymans Gardens
- Petworth Park Gardens
- Standen House and Gardens
- West Dean Gardens
- Gardens open to the public
