An unusual Sussex museum cataloguing horticultural history is celebrating its 10th birthday as it continues to grow in popularity and size, attracting visitors from around the world and an eclectic mix of exhibits.
The Museum of Gardening was opened in Hassocks in 2016 by the Budding Foundation.
It’s become central to the charity’s fundraising as it seeks to assist young people in the county who lack the support and finance to achieve their goals.
Founder and curator, Clive Gravett, from Lancing, said: “Establishing a new museum is challenging, especially amid rising costs and declining visitor numbers, but our charity’s unique partnership with Tates of Sussex has reversed that trend.”
His charity has raised £390k since its founding in 2013.
Clive is proud to support local young people and families in need and collaborates with local authorities, schools and colleges, various organisations, and other charities working towards similar aims.
Based at South Downs Nurseries, the collection’s scope has grown substantially and now includes a range of distinctive and rare items, some of which are considered unique on a global scale.
Clive said: “We are well known for our continuous research in horticultural history, and we provide guidance to a variety of organisations around the world, including other museums.”
Clive and the exhibits have appeared in numerous film, television, radio and magazine features.
He said: “The most memorable was when we took part in BBC Gardeners World in 2021, Susan Calman in 2024 and more recently with Ruth Goodman on ‘Inside the Factory’, featured on BBC 1 this year.”
A DECADE AGO: Clive Gravett, right, at the opening with Jonathan Tate, left, and special guest Jim Buttress, centre
The museum has hosted numerous radio and television broadcasts as well as a feature film awaiting release.
From an early age, Clive took a keen interest in gardening and conservation, with knowledge and skills being passed down from his father, Denis, and grandfather, Harry.
For several years, he volunteered at local schools with projects to promote conservation and gardening, including the design and construction of one of the first bottle greenhouses, featured by the BBC in 2009.
His work won a prestigious national sunflower-growing competition organised by one of Alan Sugar’s companies, as his small group of children beat those from 800 other schools nationally.
During this period, Clive came into contact with many young people who lacked support and the finances to help them achieve their goals, so on his 60th birthday, he asked his friends and relatives to donate to a potential charity fund, rather than buy him presents.
His birthday celebration, ‘CliveFest’, held at Shoreham Community Centre in July 2013, raised £700.
Clive has a keen interest and is somewhat of an expert in vintage lawnmowers, so he decided to dedicate the charity to Edwin Beard Budding, a much-underrated inventor and engineer who invented the lawnmower in 1830.
Family-run Tates of Sussex garden centres have worked closely with the Budding Foundation for a number of years and enjoy collaborating and supporting such a wonderful charity for young people.
Benjamin Tate, executive director, said: “Marking 10 years since the South Downs Heritage Centre was built is a real milestone for all of us. From day one, we wanted it to be more than a building; seeing it thrive with the Museum of Gardening and the positive impact their charity has on young people has been especially rewarding.
“We’re proud of what the last decade has achieved, and we’ve got big plans to keep investing and evolving the centre so the next 10 years are even more exciting.”
Clive said: “It’s hard to believe what we’ve achieved together over the last decade, from building a truly unique collection and uncovering new horticultural knowledge to creating displays that educate and spark curiosity. Working alongside Tates has been a great recipe for success, and we’re excited to continue developing the collection and preserving horticultural history for future generations.”
The museum is open daily, and admission is free.
For more information, visit www.museumofgardening.co.uk.
Location: Hassocks
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