Cliff Gardens is an Educational Climate Change Garden showcasing our amazing and beautiful local flora of the south coast and the Seven Sisters. It seeks to tell the story of climate change in Seaford, the wider South Downs National Park, and beyond. By exploring the garden and reading about the special plants that live here, we hope you will understand the very real threat that climate change poses and consider how we can all take steps to help. The garden consists of 7 Beds, representing diverse habitats, and 3 Buoys highlighting the elements.
The site, which falls on part of National Cycle Route 2 and the Avenue Verte London to Paris route (https://www.avenuevertelondonparis.co.uk/), was previously an unsurfaced and pot-holed road in an important area of Seaford - on the coast of Seaford Bay and at the edge of the South Downs National Park/Seaford Head Nature Reserve and the Splash Point Kittiwake colony.
WARNING!! For your safety, please admire the plants in the garden without touching or picking them. Some species may be poisonous if eaten and may cause irritation to sensitive skin. Wash hands thoroughly after any contact with plants or soil.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This community project was initiated by a group of local residents. Seaford Community Partnership formed a committee (Keith Blackburn, Hilary Miflin, John Morris & Mike Roper) that then developed the original idea into a viable project by securing funding and gaining all necessary permissions to create this educational Climate Change Garden. The construction of the garden has been managed by a group led by the SDNPA (South Downs National Park Authority). Thanks are due to SDNPA, Ouse Valley Climate Action, UKSPF, CIL, & Seaford Town Council for funding and support. Thanks are also due to: - Gabby Tofts & Christian Funnell for the original garden design, - Christian Funnell for construction of beds, buoys and all other artefacts, - Truegrip ltd for construction of the hard landscaping, - Bourne Amenity Ltd for specialist soil mixes, - Wild Flower Conservation Society for plants, - Kew Wakehurst for specialist advice and to local volunteers and residents for support and maintenance of the garden. During the development of this project two people who are no longer with us have made a significant contribution. Both were local residents: Diana Windley for championing the original idea and Mary Burr for her expertise in gardening close to the sea and helping with plant choices.
This website has a number of photos taken by photographers associated with the project to whom thanks are due for allowing their use on the site. These photographers retain the copyright of these photos so please do not use any of them without permission.