Kipling Gardens, Rottingdean

History of the gardens

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. This house is now in private ownership.

The gardens had become overgrown over many decades, but were rescued and restored by the Rottingdean Preservation Society 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.

Things to see and do

Kipling Gardens are divided into a series of distinctive areas. These include:

• a woodland garden, which is particularly beautiful in spring
• a rose garden full of beautiful colours and scents

The garden contains thousands of bulbs that produce a carpet of colour in spring. There's also a small herb garden and a chalk garden with picnic tables.

The garden also has the only formal croquet lawn in the city.

In close walking distance from the gardens are local shops and cafés. The nearby 12th Century church, St Margaret’s, is famous for its Burne Jones windows.

Sports facilities

• croquet lawn

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.