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Kipling Gardens, Rottingdean
Named after the village's most famous resident, Jungle Book writer Rudyard Kipling, these delightful gardens are full of rustic village charm.
Surrounded by flint walls and sitting close by to Rottingdean’s village green and duck pond, Kipling Gardens is an archetypal example of a traditional English garden.
In close walking distance from the gardens are local shops and cafés. The nearby twelfth century church St Margaret’s is famous for its Burne Jones windows.
Facilities
- Croquet lawn
- Picnic tables
Features of the gardens
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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 delightful colours and scents.
The garden contains 1000s of bulbs that produce a riot of colour in spring. There's also a small herb garden and a chalk garden with picnic tables, just perfect for those who want to relax longer and have a bite to eat in these beautiful surroundings. The garden also has the only formal croquet lawn in the city.
Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Awards scheme annually recognises the best public parks and green spaces in the country.
Since 2008, Kipling Gardens has been recognised with a Green Flag award.
Kipling Gardens has again been recognised with a Green Flag Award for 2010-11.
Did you know?
The gardens were originally the grounds of 'The Elms', the country house which Rudyard Kipling rented between 1897 and 1902. Kipling wrote many of his Just So Stories in the house.
The gardens had become overgrown over many decades, but were rescued and restored by the Rottingdean Preservation Society, with the help of a bequest from Mr Caton in the early 1980s. In 1986 the site was formally handed over to the council and they have been maintained and improved upon to this day.
Accessibility
This small garden’s footpaths are accessible throughout with no steep gradients and no steps. Plenty of benches have been provided along the paths. The croquet lawn is approached up an incline but should be accessible.
Only on-street parking is available
The nearest accessible toilet is at Rottingdean recreation ground.
Location
Kipling Gardens is located close to the village green in Rottingdean.
The gardens are easily accessible by car or public transport. View map or the local bus timetable.
Contacts and useful links
Our events diary includes events in our parks and public green spaces.
For daily maintenance, contact Cityparks or telephone (01273) 292929
Find out more about Rudyard Kipling and his involvement in Rottingdean at the Kipling Society website.
The operations manager responsible for Kipling Gardens is Graeme Rolf.
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