Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum

A Sussex Estate Like No Other

Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum occupies a 23-acre estate near the village of Halland, tucked into the East Sussex countryside between Lewes and Uckfield. It is one of the most unusual visitor attractions in the south of England — a place where flamingos wade past vintage Bentleys and children ride miniature steam trains through grounds designed by a Downing Street architect.

The story begins with Gerald and Mary Askew, who bought the property in 1937. After the Second World War, the couple set about transforming both house and grounds. Gerald commissioned the architect Raymond Erith — later responsible for restoring 10, 11 and 12 Downing Street — to add two Palladian wings to the original 17th-century farmhouse. The result is a handsome country house with interiors that include fine period furniture, paintings and the celebrated Chinese Room. In 1962, after visiting Sir Peter Scott's Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, the Askews began their wildfowl collection by digging ponds in a nearby field. Gerald died in 1970, and in 1978 his widow Mary gave the estate to East Sussex County Council, who opened it to the public.

Wildfowl, Motors and Gardens

The wildfowl reserve is the heart of Bentley. Over 1,000 birds representing 115 species live across the estate's lakes, ponds and parkland. Visitors walk freely among swans, geese, ducks, flamingos and other waterfowl from six continents. Bentley is one of very few places in the world where all seven species of swan can be seen together. Spring is the best time to visit for nesting activity and newly hatched broods, though the reserve is rewarding in any season.

The motor museum, added in 1982, houses more than 100 vehicles in a purpose-built hall. Unlike many motor collections, most cars here are privately owned and on loan, so the display changes regularly. Exhibits span the full history of motoring, from veteran and Edwardian machines through vintage tourers to post-war classics and motorcycles. The collection is well presented with informative panels explaining the significance of each vehicle.

The formal gardens were designed as a sequence of outdoor rooms divided by tall yew hedges. Each room has its own character — a white garden, a blue garden, and a rose garden devoted to heritage varieties including Bourbons, Gallicas and Damasks. The Philip Rickman Gallery, housed inside Bentley House, displays over 150 watercolour paintings of wildfowl by the Sussex artist who first inspired Gerald Askew's passion for birds.

Visiting with the Family

Bentley is a particularly good choice for families. The miniature steam railway runs through the grounds on weekends and bank holidays from Easter to September, with additional services on Wednesdays in August. A large adventure playground keeps younger children occupied, while the woodland trail and indoor discovery trail offer quieter activities. The tearoom serves light lunches, cakes and drinks, and there are generous picnic areas across the grounds.

The estate is open seasonally from mid-March to late October, daily from 10:30am. Allow three to four hours for a comfortable visit covering the wildfowl reserve, motor museum, house and gardens. The grounds are largely flat and accessible, though some paths around the lakes can be muddy after rain. Bentley sits about 60 miles from central London, making it a feasible day trip by car or a rewarding stop on a longer tour of the Sussex countryside.