What’s On over Easter 2015

The Easter break has arrived and we have put together a list of things to do and places to visit for all the family.
What's on.What's on.
What's on.

Gardens open, fun days and fetes - there’s plenty planned.

Some of the events will depend on the weather and we suggest you check they are still taking place before setting out.

If you want to publicise an event our readers might enjoy add it below using the comments section.

Gardens open:

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Nymans Gardens - A garden lovers’ home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins. Handcross. Address: Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/

High Beeches - 27 acres of woodland, water gardens, and a collection of rare, exotic and award-winning plants. Address: High Beeches Lane, RH17 6HQ Haywards Heath, West Sussex www.highbeeches.com/

Sheffield Park - The garden is a horticultural work of art formed through centuries of landscape design, with influences of ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Address: Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QX. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden/

What's on.What's on.
What's on.

West Dean Gardens - Highlights include a 300 foot long Edwardian pergola, newly restored Sunken Garden, Walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses and a beautiful parkland walk with views over the South Downs. Address: West Dean, Nr Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ. www.westdean.org.uk/Garden/Home.aspx

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Borde Hill Garden - Nestled in 200 acres of English Heritage listed Sussex parkland and woodland, with wonderful views across the Sussex Weald and the magnificent Ouse Valley. Address: Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP. www.bordehill.co.uk/

Wakehurst Place - The country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Address: Address:Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wakehurst-place/

Places of Interest:

Borde Hill Gardens.Borde Hill Gardens.
Borde Hill Gardens.

Standen House - An Arts and Crafts house which, with its surrounding gardens belong to the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building. Address: West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 4NE. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen-house-and-garden/

Batemans - A 17th-century house. Author Rudyard Kipling lived in Bateman’s from 1902 to his death in 1936. Address: Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, East Sussex TN19 7DS. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/

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Arundel Castle - A restored and remodeled medieval castle. it has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1, 000 years. Address: Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB. www.arundelcastle.org/

Bluebell Railway - A heritage line running for 11 miles along the border between East and West Sussex. It uses steam trains which operate between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with intermediate stations at Horsted Keynes & Kingscote. Address: Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QL www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

Palatine School Open Garden.Palatine School Open Garden.
Palatine School Open Garden.

Drusillas Park - Widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country with its animal and child friendly, family environment where the focus is always on involvement. Address: Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS. www.drusillas.co.uk/

Fishers Adventure Farm Park - Family attraction with horse and tractor rides, animal enclosures, adventure playground and cafes. Address: Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0EG. www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk/

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The Observatory Science Centre - Interactive science, workshops and events, with a huge telescope in the astronomical observatory. Address: Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1RN. www.the-observatory.org/

Bodiam Castle - A 14th-century moated castle. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III. Address: Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/

Alfriston Clergy House - The first property to be acquired by the National Trust. It was purchased in 1896 for £10. Address: The Tye, Alfriston, Polegate, Sussex BN26 5TL. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum - More than 40 historic buildings from south-east England have been rescued from destruction, dismantled and reconstructed on the site. Address: Town Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU. www.wealddown.co.uk/

The Collector Earl's Garden - Arundel Castle.The Collector Earl's Garden - Arundel Castle.
The Collector Earl's Garden - Arundel Castle.
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Gardens open under charity National Gardens Scheme (entrance fees):

The Old Vicarage, The Street, Washington, Sussex, RH20 4AS - April 6

Palatine School Gardens, Palatine Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 6JP - April 5

General events

- Horsham Piazza Italia is three full days (April 3,4 & 6) of free entertainment showcasing Horsham’s town centre in a celebration of all things Italian.

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- Bexhill 100 Motoring Club Easter bonnet parade on the seafront April 5. Owners decorate their vintage vehicles in style for the event which includes competitions for the most impressive bonnet - on heads as well as on cars.

- Visitors to Lewes can watch the town’s Passion Play which depicts the story of Easter. It will be staged at venues around the town during Easter week. Good Friday April 3rd (12.30-3.30pm); Easter Sunday April 5th (2.30- 4.30pm approx).

- Shoreham Fort, off Forthaven, Shoreham Beach, has an Easter Fun Day for all the family on Sunday, April 5, from midday to 5pm. From egg and spoon races to the shooting range, gun rack display and a chance for children to learn what it’s like to be a soldier in the parade, there will be lots to do. Refreshments available at Food for Fort. Free tours will be held at 1pm and 3pm.

- Bognor Regis’ first Easter food and craft fair will be held from April 1 to April 6 in the London Road precinct. Goods on sale include French charcuteries (cold cured meats, wild boar, pork, venison, dry sausages), handmade fudge, olives, baklava and Italian biscuits, cakes and sweets. There will also be handmade jewellery, wooden garden furnitue and ornaments and handmade leather goods.