West Dean Gardens visitor hub wins Sussex heritage award

West Dean is delighted to announce that its Gardens Gatehouse has won the 2026 Sussex Heritage Trust Public and Community Award. <i>(Image: West Dean)</i>
West Dean is delighted to announce that its Gardens Gatehouse has won the 2026 Sussex Heritage Trust Public and Community Award. (Image: West Dean)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

A visitor hub has been crowned a winner at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards for its transformation.

The Gardens Gatehouse at West Dean earned the 2026 Sussex Heritage Trust Public & Community Award for transforming the estate's former biomass boiler building into a welcoming visitor hub.

Ian Graham, director of estates at West Dean, said: "We are delighted that the Gardens Gatehouse has been recognised with a Sussex Heritage Trust Award.

"This project reflects West Dean’s long-standing commitment to caring for our historic estate and landscape while ensuring it continues to evolve in ways that benefit our visitors and support its long-term future."

The new gatehouse provides a new entrance to West Dean Gardens and includes ticketing and information facilities, an expanded craft shop, plant nursery and flexible spaces for creative taster sessions and demonstrations.

It was designed by conservation architects Vallis & Hall and delivered by the West Dean Estate team and local contractors.

Laurence Hall, director of Vallis & Hall, said: "It was particularly rewarding for the team to work with West Dean Estate on this project to convert a redundant agricultural portal frame building into the glorious new visitors’ entrance to the Gardens."

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos