West Dean is delighted to announce that its Gardens Gatehouse has won the 2026 Sussex Heritage Trust Public & Community Award, recognising the outstanding transformation of a redundant estate building into an inspiring new space for visitors, Gardens entrance and learning environment.

Designed by award-winning conservation architects Vallis & Hall and delivered by the West Dean Estate team and trusted local contractors, the project has transformed the estate's former biomass boiler building into a welcoming visitor hub, providing a new entrance to the Gardens, ticketing and information facilities, an expanded craft shop, plant nursery and flexible spaces for creative taster sessions and demonstrations.

The Sussex Heritage Trust Awards celebrate the very best in conservation, restoration and high-quality new design across Sussex, recognising projects that make an exceptional contribution to the region's built and natural environment. The Public & Community Award honours projects that improve facilities for the wider community.

The project reflects West Dean's long-standing commitment to sustainability and heritage. Rather than demolishing the former biomass building, the project carefully retained and adapted the existing structure and reusing materials throughout the interior. The result is a sustainable, accessible and welcoming space that enhances the visitor experience while supporting year-round educational and community activities.

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."

Laurence Hall, Director of Vallis and Hall, said: “Vallis & Hall Conservation Architects are honoured to see the Gardens Gatehouse recognised in the Public and Community category at this year’s Sussex Heritage Trust Awards. 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, and for the judges to have acknowledged our successful approach to reusing the structures and natural materials."

As part of A Summer of Imagination at West Dean, The Gardens Gatehouse will also be home to our Creative Taster Sessions. If you’ve always wanted to try something new, these two-hour sessions are the perfect opportunity to follow your curiosity, explore a new art or craft, and leave with a finished piece of your own. 

Nestled at the foot of the beautiful South Downs, West Dean Gardens is one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today. Visitors can explore the seasonal produce being grown for our Gardens Kitchen restaurant in the Walled Kitchen Garden, wander beneath the stunning 100 metre Edwardian pergola, or explore the breadth of nature with a walk through the 49-acre St. Roche's Arboretum. Open from January to December there is something to experience in every season.