Wakehurst announces its biggest restoration project of the last century and outdoor art installation

Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is set to embark on the most ambitious renovation project in its recent history.

The Elizabethan Mansion, built in 1571-1590 and set in the heart of the gardens, requires an extensive roof restoration to preserve the Grade I listed building, originally bequeathed to the National Trust in 1963 and entrusted to Kew in 1965, for future generations.

With building work expected to last over two years, the Mansion will receive a radical facelift in the form of a newly commissioned installation from Australian-born artist, Catherine Nelson. Using photography of Wakehurst’s spectacular collections captured over the summer, Nelson will create ‘Planet Wakehurst’, a dazzling photo montage of the plants that span the 535-acre site – from the colourful blooms of the abundant Water Gardens to the towering redwoods of California in Horsebridge Wood.

Measuring over 1550m², Nelson’s UK premiere will form the equivalent of 25 double decker buses, wrapping around 3 sides of the Mansion. Visitors will have the chance to see beautiful species magnified in exceptional detail, offering new perspectives on the flora that make Wakehurst so special, and sparking curiosity into science research conducted across the living laboratory.

The installation will also house a new viewing platform. Raised approximately 33ft above ground level, the lookout point will carve out a new experience for visitors to the Sussex site, affording views across the Mansion lawns and out to the Sussex Downs beyond.

Wakehurst has also ensured that the Mansion’s resident bats and swifts are protected for the duration of the project. With approval from Natural England, the restoration work will be phased to account for breeding and hibernating seasons. Temporary roosts will also be created to ensure minimal disturbance and limit the impact on wildlife.

Scaffolding will start being built in late autumn 2022, expected to take several months. Once complete, ‘Planet Wakehurst’ will be installed, due to be on display to the public in Spring 2023.

Visitors to Wakehurst will find information panels around the site where they can discover more about the project, the steps taken to protect resident wildlife, and much more. Volunteer explainers and tour guides will also have further detail on the project.

Wakehurst is grateful that this capital project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and for its National Trust endowment, which provides ongoing support for Wakehurst’s landscapes and wider facilities.

ENDS