Stunning West Sussex gardens reveals top things to see this winter – including a dazzling lights display
Wakehurst, the beautiful gardens in mid-Sussex owed by Kew, has a host of things to see and do this winter.
Based in Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, has revealed its visitor highlights for the season.
The large Evergreen woodlands offer a feast of pine fragrance and birdsong at Wakehurst, bringing the Pinetum and Coates Wood to life, while sweeping viewpoints reveal rolling hills and the undulating beauty of the Sussex High Weald.
While the Winter Garden is an enchanting ensemble of delicate British Birches, sweet-scented witch hazel and striking red dogwood.
All-weather paths weave through the ornamental design, leading visitors to something new around every corner, revealing a tapestry of colour and texture even in the colder months.
Mature Himalayan silver birch trees (Betula utilis var. Jacquemontianii) rise above a layered display of bold red dogwood (Cornus) and ‘Karl Foerster’ grasses (Calamagrostis), whilst snowdrops and cyclamen start to pop up across the ground throughout late winter.
A sokesman said: “Open over Boxing Day and over the festive period, Wakehurst is the ideal location for families to come together, uniting the generations for a crisp winter walk. Should the days bring less favourable weather, visitors can seek warmth in the Atrium of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, which offers windows into the labs and an interactive exhibition for children.”
Its annual Glow Wild celebration of lights runs on selected evenings until January 3, 2026, with slots from 4pm to 10pm.
This year’s theme isSeed Safari - A Walk on the Wild Side.
The award-winning lantern trail invites visitors of all ages to wander into a radiant reimagining of the natural world, where seeds spark stories and the wild glows after dark. It features brand-new bespoke installations, an enhanced street food offering and Wakehurst’s iconic Christmas tree. Glow Wild guests can also add on an exclusive Mansion VIP experience, with a welcome drink, seasonal mezze-style sharing platter and a fully stocked bar.
Then there is Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us, running daily, from 10am to 3.30pm in the Millennium Seed Bank, whic is included with entry
This exhibition brings Kew’s State of the World’s Plants reports to life, telling the story of why some plants are only surviving, while others are thriving. Through film, audio, models, and a futuristic garden, explore the challenges that plants face and discover the vital role of fungi.