Sustainable new water feature launched at Highdown Gardens

Released: Friday, 31 March 2023

We're delighted to announce that the new, sustainable water feature is officially live and flowing at Worthing's much-loved Highdown Gardens.

Thanks to an incredibly generous donation and the work of our treasured team on Highdown Hill, the historic feature, which was originally built in the 1930s, is operational once again, but this time solely using solar-powered technology.

The display has been inactive in recent years due to the original system coming to the end of its life and no longer meeting our environmental standards, which include cutting back on the use of fresh water.

Highdown Gardens were handed over to Worthing Borough Council in 1968 following the death of their founder and owner, Sir Frederick Stern. We have carefully managed the gardens and their famous collection since the award from Stern's wife, Lady Sybil.

As part of our sustainability drive, the team had been on the lookout for a new system which would be green, cost effective and restore water flow down to the pond and surrounding alpine rock gardens.

Thanks to the incredible donation from a businessman and garden visitor who wishes to remain anonymous, we were able to purchase the kit and materials needed to make our vision for the solar-powered water feature a reality.

The donor also gifted the gardens a stunning, large Himalayan quartz crystal which now sits in the cave next to the pond. The crystal was quarried from the same mountains many of Stern's exotic trees and shrubs were collected from.

On a sunny day, the solar panels will produce abundant energy to power the water pump, meaning any excess energy will be stored in the rechargeable batteries to ensure there is sufficient supply to power the pump on cloudy days.

Next time you visit the gardens, be sure to take a closer look at the work and feel free to chat to one of our Highdown team if you wish to know more.

See also: Highdown Gardens' website and the new solar-powered pump.

Photos of the new water feature and the launch event:

PR23-044 - The new water feature running down the side of the steps at Highdown Gardens

PR23-044 - Planting next to the steps at the new water feature at Highdown Gardens

PR23-044 - The large Himalayan quartz crystal which now sits in the cave next to the pond

PR23-044 - The pond and cave at the new water feature at Highdown Gardens

PR23-044 - The launch event for the new water feature at Highdown Gardens

Photo: Mary-Anne Hedges, daughter of former head gardener Mr Bassingdale, who lived in the old gardener's bungalow at Highdown Gardens

PR23-044 - Mary-Anne Hedges, daughter of former head gardener Mr Bassingdale, who lived in the old gardener's bungalow

Highdown Gardens logo 2021 (730px)

(PR23-044)

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Page last updated: 20 February 2024

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