Hidden in the greenhouses of the rather unassuming Manor Nurseries in Angmering is the most fantastic surprise for a plant lover like myself: one of the largest private collections of cacti and succulents in West Sussex (quite possibly, in the country!) Quiet and almost reverential, it’s a place to stop and catch my breath – an urban oasis.

My favourite time to visit is spring and summer when the cacti come into bloom, but it’s really quite something to see at any time of the year. Started in 1948 by Rob and Annie Lovejoy, the collection has grown from seeds and specimens gathered from around the globe, and is now home to hundreds of different species.

The collection is open to the public during nursery opening hours, with an ever changing variety of succulents and cacti available to buy. I can’t go too often – it’s too tempting! There are even some whoppers on sale – grown right in the nursery and already a few years old.

An easy visit for locals, but if I were planning a trip from further afield, I’d certainly take the opportunity to walk the short distance and enjoy the views from up in the Downs, and I wouldn’t miss a stop for lunch or a pint at The Lamb in the heart of the village before heading home.

Images by Sarah-Louise Kimmer