"Galloping Gardener Walks" © - Best of the Spring gardens in Sussex

Borde Hill - which opened last week for the season

Spring is definitely in the air and gardens around the country are beginning to show signs of life! Most of us have already noticed daffodils and crocuses as we move around the country, and there are plenty of shoots on the trees too. Galloping Gardener Walks © is aimed at readers who want to visit more than one garden in a day and is featured under the "Days Out" section under the header. Each GGW features gardens within a specific geographical area, together with a map, so you can plan days out now that the weather is improving.

Spring colour displays at Borde Hill - don't miss them!

Today focusses on West Sussex, which has more than its fair share of remarkable spring gardens, starting with Borde Hill Garden near Haywards Heath. This is a truly magnificent estate, with more than 200 acres of parkland and 17 acres of formal gardens divided into garden "rooms". It opened last week and its season starts with astounding displays of magnolias, azaleas and rhododendrons, followed by abundant spring flowers. Later in the season come the roses - another fantastic eye candy show - not to be missed! Borde Hill is a member of the Historic Houses Association, so members get in free.

High Beeches has wonderful woodland walks and you'll be dazzled by the spring colour displays

Just as good for spectacular spring displays is High Beeches - just a short drive away - a wonderful woodland garden filled with astounding colours in the next few months. This is a garden to savour, with its wonderful magnolia glade, and bluebells to die for when they come into bloom! Great for walks and for letting the children run free! Also a member of the HHA.

Nymans - a garden for all seasons - there's always something in bloom, although the Sunk Garden (above)
is currently under redevelopment

And just a stone's throw away from High Beeches is Nymans Garden - truly a wondrous sight at any time of year and famous for its ruined house, wonderful walks through unspoiled woodland and famous walled garden, which changes face throughout the seasons. The good news is that Nymans is open seven days a week, so no more arriving on a Monday or Tuesday to find it closed! National Trust members visit free. A great garden to enjoy in the spring and one you'll want to return to later in the season. Renowned for its spectacular wisteria displays and fragrant rose garden later in the season, there's always something in flower here.

Great for all the family with its wide open spaces - Nymans Garden, West Sussex

For overseas visitors the National Trust offers a Touring Pass, which is valid for seven or 14 days and gives unlimited entry to Trust properties. The pass must be purchased in advance, but represents excellent value for money if you're planning on visiting more than a single property. For those of us who live in Britain, membership of the National Trust is also a great asset for garden visitors. And, as I add more Galloping Gardener Walks © to the list, I'll file them under the "Days Out" page under the main header, so you can check to see what gardens there are in your area.