The award winning Highdown Gardens in Worthing has launched a public consultation to support a major Lottery funding bid, for improvements to the visitor experience and to include an Education & Resource Centre within its grounds.  

The focus of these much needed improvements will be to enhance visitors experience and to further educate about the Garden and  its rich horticultural history. Also, to safeguard the Garden and National Plant Collection for future generations to come.

There are no plans to disrupt the quiet enjoyment of the Gardens  but add to the visitor experience with the introduction of a discreetly placed Education & Resource Centre. The bid will also look to make upgrades to other areas of infrastructure such as footpaths, watering systems and cold frames, to train volunteers to lead garden tours and begin a dedicated propagation program of the National Collection of plant introductions of Sir Fredrick Stern.

To achieve this, Highdown Gardens intend to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to finance this four-year project.  

Worthing Borough Council, who manage the Gardens, are seeking views from their local residents regarding the proposals for this important historical asset and ask that as many members of the public as possible  lend their support to the HLF funding bid by completing a short survey.

This initial consultation runs until Friday 13th May 2016 and full details can be found on the Highdown Gardens website. 

Worthing Borough Council are intending to submit the first round bid in September 2016 with the whole bidding process taking two years to complete.