Herstmonceux Castle showcases its plans for the future

Recovery after the sudden unplanned closure

Since the snap closure in 2023 it has been a challenging time for the 600 acre Herstmonceux Estate and Bader College which is housed within the castle. However, as the light at the end of the tunnel comes into view, the hope is that the completion of the three million pound restoration will done by Autumn 2025. There is a collective sigh of relief.

Last Friday many of those involved in the restoration, management of the estate and key personnel from Queen’s University invited key stakeholders including local government, media and supporters to hear about the plans for the estate and to the share fascinating insights into both the restoration and plans to drive the way forward.

Bader College’s plans for the future

Dr. Patrick Deane Principal of Bader College described how the closure had given them time to reflect and reset the ambitions for the estate and the focus of the academic ambitions for the college. He described the intention to build a more international flavour to the learning and to develop partnerships with other educational establishments to host professor centric group studies over a shorter period. Allowing more students to benefit from the unique surroundings. He also described a plan to involve the local community and hinted that there were positive discussions underway in relation to The Herstmonceux Science Centre, which had announced closure when the current lease comes to an end.

Extensive renovation works still ongoing

We then heard from Michael Doherty, Partner at Gould Baxter arcitects and chartered surveyors – who are in charge of the renovation and repairs to the castle. He illustrated the enormity of the gatehouse repairs which included dismantling and re-enforcing and rebuilding the structure within the constraints of Historic England, archeological challenges, the weather – which necessitated heated scaffolding and the need to consider ecological concerns such as bats. Valley Builders and Archer Stone were also part of the renovation team.

Dean Pascall, Director of the Herstmonceux Estate outlined a list of new developments which are beginning to take shape, including: Chesnuts Cafe, a new Farm Shop selling local produce, a membership scheme, volunteer programmes, nature trails, bee hives and the opening up of re-vamped holiday accomodation on the estate.

Rewilding of much of the estate

A major transformation will be the re-wilding of much of the estate and the plans for this were outlined by Charlie Burrell, from Nattergal, a leading nature restoration company. Nature will be welcomed back onto areas that have been farmed intensively and there will be potential for scientific research, and community projects within this ecological recovery initiative.

Alfred and Isabel Bader Exhibition

There is also a newly curated exhibition charting the lives of Alfred and Isabel Bader who were the couple behind the gift of Herstmonceux Castle to the Queen’s University, Canada and the eponymously named college. They have a truly unique and inspiring story and the exhibition brings their Sussex connections and life journey alive.