Chestnut Tree House Open Gardens

We're delighted to open up our gardens to supporters this summer! Come and explore our gardens and learn more about Chestnut Tree House.

Book for Friday 7 August Book for Saturday 8 August

Event details

Times: 10am to 4pm. Book your arrival time when you register. Quiet hour is 10 to 11am.

When: Friday 7th August 2026

End: Saturday 8th August 2026

Activity type: Open day, South East

Explore our gardens this summer

We’re opening our hospice grounds and gardens to our supporters! We invite you to bring family and friends along and enjoy a self-guided tour.

A fairy statue in the woodland walk at Chestnut Tree House

What's happening on the day?

Explore our beautiful outdoor spaces, including the woodland walk, sensory gardens, and our recently opened kitchen gardens.

Enjoy a range of activities, including choir performances, and hot and cold refreshments available to purchase.

Celebrate the dedication and care our gardeners and grounds team put into creating a welcoming and accessible space for patients and their families.

Meet the grounds team, and a range of colleagues from across the organisation, and learn more about Chestnut Tree House.

A teepee in the garden at Chestnut Tree House, with spherical water feature in the foreground

Quiet hour

We will be offering a quieter hour at the beginning of each day for anyone with additional sensory or accessibility needs.

During this time:
- Music and amplified sound will be reduced or turned off
- Announcements will be kept to a minimum
- The capacity will be reduced so there will be less people in each area
- Our staff and volunteers will help maintain a quieter atmosphere

Quiet hour is designed to support visitors who may find busy or noisy environments overwhelming, including people with sensory sensitivities, autistic visitors, young families, and anyone who would prefer a more peaceful experience. If you wish to attend in this time, please select the first timeslot at 10am.

Book your time slot below. If you are booking for eight or more people, please contact us before booking your tickets so we can help manage numbers.

Terms and conditions

Register to visit on Friday 7 August

Register to visit on Saturday 8 August

Our frequently asked questions

Find out more about the event

As there will be families who will continue to use the hospice’s services, the house will not be open to the public. We ask that you respect those using the services and refrain from entering areas that are cordoned off.

Whilst there is parking at the event, it is limited. We ask that you car share where possible and park considerably. There is no public transport available for this event.

Some areas in the gardens may have slopes, uneven ground, ponds, or other hazards. Unfortunately, the garden is not fully wheelchair accessible. Accessibility information will be provided where possible, please contact us ahead of the event if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

Please supervise children at all times – especially in the playground, as gardens may contain ponds, uneven ground, and other hazards.

Strictly NO dogs are allowed. Assistance dogs are welcome at the gardens with prior permission. Assistance dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

Toilet facilities will be available onsite. Information on available facilities will be included on the event map that you will be given upon entry.

Unfortunately, no outside food is allowed onsite. Due to the nature of the hospice, often the children in our care have very specialist diets. The site is completely nut free and we ask that you refrain from bringing in outside food.

Whilst we do take card, we ask that you bring cash where possible.

The event will go ahead in most weather conditions, so please dress appropriately for the weather. In severe weather, updates will be posted on the hospice website and social media.

Photography is permitted in most areas of the gardens. However, some areas such as the Memory Fountain, are considered sensitive spaces, and photography will not be allowed there. These areas will be clearly signposted and marked on the event map provided on the day.

Please also be respectful of others’ privacy and do not take photos of children, including visiting families and children who may be at Chestnut Tree House.

We can be contacted by phone or email Monday-Friday, between the hours of   9am-5pm.  

01903 323555

Events@chestnut.org.uk

flowers in the chestnut tree house garden

Visit more open gardens this summer

People across Sussex will generously open their gardens to visitors in support of Chestnut Tree House this summer.

See all of the participating gardens on our Open Gardens event page.

Visit an open garden

A child in the kitchen garden at Chestnut Tree House

Our gardens are a sanctuary for our families

Our gardens are a place where children, young people and families can go to relax, reflect and make memories together. They provide a chance to play and have fun in the fresh air, surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Designed to be accessible to all, the gardens can be enjoyed by everyone, while our squirrel maze, bug hotel and dedicated bug zone attract all manner of exciting wildlife.