West Sussex
A Visitor Guide to West Sussex

Ardingly

• Location
  Four miles north of Lindfield on the B2028.

Ardingly (pronounced Ardingl-eye) is straddles the  road running north/south from Lindfield to Turners Hill.  Home to the famous boys' public school, Ardingly College, which was built about 1860. Ardingly village lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, has a pretty, if busy, High Street with cottages lining the road.

On the very edge of the village lies the South of England Showground where each June is held the annual South of England Show.  If you get the chance go... it is a fascinating mix of livestock, plants, food, horse shows, dog shows and much else besides. Boots are required if it is raining!!

The Showground is used for a wide ranging series of activities throughout the year from boot fairs to gymkhanas, dog shows, craft fairs, steam shows, car and motor cycle shows.  Keep your eyes peeled on the highways and byways for what's on as that seems to be how they advertise!

St. Peter's, the parish church, was built in the early 14th century and boasts a very large tower. Inside the rood screen has recently been removed from in front of the altar to enable church services to be more in line with 21st century standards. The screen is now at the back of the church.  The church is a little walk from the centre of the village.

Ardingly has old pubs in the village, including the Gardeners Arms and The Oak.  The Oak is alleged to have a resident ghost, this time of a young lady who was reputed to have been abducted and killed by a former resident.  It is said she sits in the inglenook fireplace from time to time.

Just outside the village lies Ardingly reservoir where watersports can be enjoyed.  There are picnic tables and nature trails around the reservoir.   A hide is available for those who wish to watch the birdlife.

Wakehurst Place

The main attraction of Ardingly is Wakehurst Place, about 1 mile to the north. Sir Edward Culpeper built the mansion,one wing of which survives, in 1590. After  various otheer owners, it was purchased by Gerald Loder, later Lord Wakehurst, in about 1900.. The ceilings are particularly lovely in this house.

Wakehurst Place was left to the National Trust by Sir Henry Price in 1963 and 2 years later the house, and 500 acres were leased to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (now known locally as 'Kew in the country').  In recent months the Millenium Seedbank, designed to prevent further loss of world-wide plant species, was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales.

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