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• Managing Organisation:

  Brighton & Hove City Council

• Contact:

  Graeme Rolf

• Telephone:

  01273 293080 
• Click here for winner's location

Information about this open space

The gardens are named after the village’s most famous resident, Rudyard Kipling; these delightful gardens are, like Rottingdean itself full of charm.  The gardens had become overgrown over many decades and in 1983 the trustees of the late Lady Jones allowed a developer to apply for planning permission to build houses on the land. The Rottingdean Preservation Society opposed the application, eventually won and with the help of a bequest from Mr Caton the gardens were bought. Over three years the high flint walls were renovated and bricks from nearby Dean Court Road were used in the construction of paths. A croquet lawn was also created. In 1986 the gardens were formally handed over to the council and they have been maintained and improved upon to this day.  The gardens are right next to Kipling’s old house, ‘The Elms’ and are a plant man’s paradise, full of blooms, with the gardener on hand to answer any questions.  Like all the best traditional gardens, Kipling Gardens are divided into a series of distinctive areas. These include a woodland garden, which is particularly beautiful in spring and a rose garden full of some of the most delightful colours and scents. There’s also a small herb garden and a chalk garden with picnic tables, just perfect for those who want to relax and have a picnic in these beautiful surroundings. The gardens are a pleasure to visit at any time of the year and always a hold a warm welcome.