A family estate held its first weekend festival this year with talks, stalls and activities centred on the beauty of nature and gardening. The Argus was invited to attend the pioneering event at Borde Hill and learn more about the Haywards Heath estate’s natural paradise. At the heart of it is a picturesque 16th century Elizabethan manor house where five generations of the Stephenson Clarke family, who manage the estate, have lived.

The Elizabethan Manor House at the heart of the Borde Hill Estate (Image: Lucy Hunt / The Argus) There were stalls scattered across the sprawling South Lawn behind the house with small businesses offering an array of plants, a unique selection of hand-crafted products and nature-focused artwork. One stall that captured our attention was home to Vintage and Bespoke Diffusers, a family business led by a mother and daughter duo who sell upcycled flower diffusers. Stepping into their tent, we were overwhelmed by the delicate floral fragrances that filled the marquee.

Other small businesses included artist Rachel Dein, who creates plaster casts from flower impressions, and independent flower delivery service Freddie’s Flowers. Festival goers flocked to the range of stalls on the South Lawn (Image: Lucy Hunt / The Argus) Following a relaxed stroll around the gardening and lifestyle stalls, we attended a talk by contemporary multi-disciplinary artist Claire Luxton, who is based in East Sussex . Claire’s talk, The Nature Of Looking, was focused on t.