Looking For Days Out in Sussex? When we decided to visit Wakehurst Botanical Gardens, there was an element of confusion as we arrived. Being National Trust members, we expected to see the ubiquitous oak leaf symbol but were somewhat surprised to find instead, signs for Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Yes, interestingly Wakehurst is owned by The National Trust, yet funded and managed by Kew. So rather fabulously you get the best of both. We knew we made the right choice for fun days out in Sussex. Wakehurst Gardens West Sussex Wakehurst can be best described as Royal Botanical Garden Kew's