What's On and Things To Do Around West Sussex

Follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Ilive and become an inventor extraordinaire. Using clues around the Pleasure Grounds create an ingenious tool and claim your prize. Booking Not Needed. Suitable for children aged 5-11. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

We are delighted to offer the annual opportunity for individuals to enjoy a weekday guided tour of the Grade II listed Elizabethan Mansion House (usually open only to groups). Delve into its history dating from 1590 and gain an insight into the lives and ancestors of the current owners, Mr and Mrs Stephenson Clarke.

Local artist & tutor John Thompson returns with more of his popular painting workshops. John takes inspiration from the seasonal changes on the landscape and gardens of Nymans. This month’s theme is South Downs. Join us for a full day of relaxed and informal art in our potting shed.

This was specially written for the stage by the authors of the highly acclaimed BBC sitcom.

An exhibition exploring the lives of three women who influenced the garden’s design. Focussing on their creative legacy and the social circles within which they moved, the exhibition will highlight each of their unique contributions to the development of this well-known garden. Booking Not Needed.

See the house interiors transformed with striking floral displays. To launch the opening of ’The Triumph of Hope’ exhibition, we’ll be filling the house with flower displays inspired by Muriel, Maud and Anne Messel. On Friday 15 June you will see the flower arrangers creating their displays.

How did De Morgan get his pots to shine' Jonathan Chiswell Jones is one of a handful of potters worldwide who uses the ancient technique of reduction fired lustre, which William De Morgan rediscovered. An exhibition of lustreware by Jonathan Chiswell Jones and Kerry Bosworth.

Enjoy a trail that looks at the many colourful flowers and plants that fill the garden in summer. This trail has taken inspiration from the Messel family women who helped create the gardens. What do you think is in the giant jasmine basket' Take in the scent of the Rose Garden and then continue on a flower hunt.

Discover Printmaking is one of the events for the Festival of Chichester. The gallery is showing a variety of print works by David Peduzzi, Deborah Richards, Chris Gilbert, Polly Dutton, Julian Marshall, Karen Swann, Sandra Izard and Linda Foskett.

Learn more about the Messel family, house and collection with our guided tour of the Messel Family Rooms. Join a small group on a behind scenes tour before the house opens. Booking Not Needed. Children welcome, must be accompanied by an adult. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

Explore the inspirational story of Standen’s Helen Beale, the pioneering woman who went to war and helped make women an important part of the Navy’s war effort.

A masterpiece of colour, design and planting, this carefully cultivated garden awaits your discovery. Woolbeding delights at every turn with distintive garden rooms set against manicured hedges and thoughtfully composed colour-themed borders.

Come on a guided walk of the gardens led by our experienced and knowledgeable garden rangers. The walk will take in the seasonal highlights, including stars of the Nymans collection.

Learn more about the fascinating house and ruins with our guided tour of the exterior. Learn about the architecture and discover how the Messel family transformed Nymans into their dream house. Booking Not Needed. Children welcome, must be accompanied by an adult. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

Family Fun Fair with lots of attractions. Open Thursday 21 June @ 4pm, Friday @ 5pm, Saturday and Sunday @ 1pm. Open from 21 June until 1 July (Closed 25, 26, 27, and 28 June). Crazy price days are 21 June and 1 July all rides only cost £1 per person (excludes Dodgems,Inflatables and Trampolines).

A special evening with renowned horticulturist and popular broadcaster, Jim Buttress will take place on Friday 22 June at Loxwood Village Hall (Loxwood, West Sussex) to raise money for Perennial, the charity that helps horticulturists in need.

Major garden in beautiful setting developed over 20 yrs with fruit theme and many unusual plants. Formally laid out on grand scale with long vistas; C18 walled garden with borders in apricot, orange, scarlet and crimson; topiary walk; pleached lime alle; tulip tree avenue; rose borders; large vegetable garden with...

Brighton Consort (director James Dixon) will be presenting a programme of vocal music entitled “England in the Summer” on Saturday June 23rd (7.30 p.m.) in St Peter’s Church, Henfield.

RURA are a multi award-winning act, and one of Scotland’s most sought-after folk-based bands. With two heralded albums, a third due for release in June 2018, and extensive international touring, RURA continually affirm their position as one of Scotland’s most powerful groups.

The knights, squires, and men at arms of Raven Tor Living History Group will meet in a medieval foot tournament representing four historical nations. Alongside the tournament, visitors can also enjoy storytelling, falconry, have-a-go archery for the over 8s as well as a host of medieval crafts.

Bullfrog Productions present Lionel Bart’s Oliver! ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED BRITISH MUSICALS… Dickens’ timeless characters are vividly brought to life with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.

On Saturday 23rd June at 7pm, David Battie, as known from the Antiques Roadshow, will present a talk illustrated by some of his favourite pieces from his vast collection of Antiques.

Graffham, just south of Petworth, is this summer celebrating it’s third Festival of Art. With workshops, concerts, talks, poetry evening and more - there is something for everyone. The Open Studios art trail, running alongside Open Gardens is the centrepiece.

A very varied 2 acre Gertrude Jekyll style garden, with box parterre, topiary, acclaimed herbaceous borders, swathes of spotted orchids, wild flowers in the orchard, chickens, greenhouses, large vegetable and fruit garden, croquet lawn, herb garden, and a huge number of plants.

Five women, five countries and as many languages. Gavel Circus bring a delightful, high energy circus show jam packed full of acrobatics, music, game playing, laughter, bicycles, shouting, a bear and bagfulls of fun – pure mayhem.