The area, with it proliferation of notable gardens, provides a potted history of landscaping fashions. Ashburnham Park, Sheffield Place, Battle Abbey and Brightling, all represent the "gardenless" form of landscaping which was led by Capability Brown in the mid-18th Century.
Distinctive features of this seemingly effortless design include undulating grassland running straight to the house; clumps, belts and scattering of trees and serpentine lakes. At Leonardslee, Scotney, Sheffield Park and Wakehurst there more examples of the "picturesque" style -- wild, dramatic, irregular scenery incorporated into large gardens - and "gardenesque" where a picturesque landscape is furnished with exotic plants. The later "Arts and Crafts" is typified by elements at Great Dixter and Sissinghurst.
