Wakehurst (National Trust)

While West Sussex is home to a comprehensive selection of landmarks and attractions, few can claim to be as important perhaps as Wakehurst. Located right in the heart of the county to the north of Haywards Heath, it offers more than 500 acres of glorious countryside featuring a diverse selection of plants and landscapes. It’s also home to the Millennium Seed Bank, an underground collection of more than 2.4 billion seeds from all over the world.

There are many things to see at Wakehurst, including the American Prairie, Bloomers Valley, the Children’s Walled Grden, the Bog Garden, the Himalayan Glade, the Mansion Pond, the Rock Walk, the Southern Hemisphere Garden and so much more. The children will love being out and about, especially when they get the chance to enjoy the Tree Trunk Trek. There’s also a glorious Grade I-listed Mansion.

Retail therapy should always be on the cards when you visit Wakehurst. The Visitor Centre Shop offers a superb range of products to buy, including horticultural gifts, homeware, clothing and more. And of course, high-quality days out in West Sussex deserve equally high-quality dining, so be sure to visit the Stables Kitchen for some much-needed sustenance. There’s also the Stables Pantry and Seeds Café for food and drink. What more could you possibly want?