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South Downs Nurseries
Brighton Road
Hassocks
West Sussex
BN6 9LY
T 01273 845232
F 01273 847700

Company History

The History Of Clayton Nurseries And The Tate Family Of Sussex.

The Tate family has lived in Sussex for over 300 years, working in agriculture and latterly as wheelwrights. By 1785 William Tate was farming on a comparatively large scale at Findon in Sussex and had become a successful timber merchant. By 1841, George Tate was established in Findon as a 'Master Wheelwright'. Today, the Tate family evolved from these two family traditions to operate a successful garage business around Sussex as agents for Renault, Citroen, Hyundai, and Kia plus a unique nursery and garden centre business based in Hassocks and Newhaven. South Downs Nurseries (originally Clayton Nurseries see picture) was established over 100 years ago and by 1922 was specialising in the growing of the new, rare, unusual and exotic hardy perpetual border carnations and rock dianthus. Today, the vast nursery has been completely rebuilt to its former glory by the Tate family, for the production of new, rare, unusual and exotic garden plants. Visitors can browse the nursery and garden centre and relax in the coffee shop overlooking the nursery plants. Managing Director Jonathan Tate, horticulturist and plant enthusiast, welcomes visitors to the garden centre which specialises in wildlife friendly gardening products and encourages traditional gardening techniques through the nursery's information website www.wildlifegardening.co.uk and online  shop.