Borde Hill, a stunning country house and garden located near Haywards Heath in Sussex, has recently been awarded a generous £2.25 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding will be used to support the Reinventing Borde Hill project, which aims to enhance and develop the estate’s 110 acres of listed landscape.
One of the key elements of the project is the creation of an all-year-round eco lodge, providing a sustainable community space on the edge of the tranquil Robertsmere Lake. This eco lodge will serve as a hub for educational and community programs, engaging a diverse audience and fostering a closer connection with nature. Additionally, a pedestrian route will be established to encourage accessible and green travel throughout the site.
The project also includes the development of Dinosaur Wood, a space dedicated to outdoor learning and play, as well as a Grower’s Community Garden. These initiatives will provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn, play, and reconnect with the natural environment. Borde Hill will work closely with NHS social prescribers to promote the mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature.
In addition to creating new recreational and educational facilities, the project will also generate employment opportunities for the local community. Borde Hill Charity will be recruiting a horticultural apprentice, a community growing officer, and park rangers, while supporting 26 jobs during the construction phase. The estate will also expand its volunteering opportunities, engaging with 69 additional volunteers and offering work experience programs for secondary schools in the area.
Jay Goddard, managing director and fifth-generation family custodian of Borde Hill, expressed his gratitude for the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, emphasizing the significance of the project in preserving the estate’s botanical collection and natural landscape for future generations. Stuart McLeod, director of London and South England at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, highlighted the importance of landscapes and nature in our culture and heritage, underscoring the value of projects like Reinventing Borde Hill in promoting wellbeing and preserving natural heritage.
Overall, the Reinventing Borde Hill project represents a significant investment in the preservation and enhancement of this historic estate, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for the local community and a haven for nature lovers for years to come.