High Beeches in Spring

Conserving an ancient woodland and water garden takes more than horticultural expertise. It also demands the devotion of a family such as the Boscawens who, over decades, have shared a deep empathy with the landscape at High Beeches. ‘It’s the most amazingly beautiful place and deserves looking after — it’s a great responsibility but, at the same time, it’s also very exciting,’ says Sarah Bray, daughter of Anne and Edward Boscawen who, half a century ago, took over the garden. ‘My parents continued the planting of fine specimens, displaying them to best effect to appear natural, when in fact the gardens have been carefully designed.’ It was against this naturalistic setting that Sarah grew up, playing amongst the maples, oaks, beeches, birches and azaleas filling this Sussex valley.