Castle to share renovation plans at event

Herstmonceux Castle will host an information morning to update on its future plans

A Sussex castle is to hold an event to share its renovation plans after it was forced to close due to structural issues.

Herstmonceux Castle Estate was forced to shut in November 2023 after structural issues were identified which required "immediate attention", including repairs to the south wall of the building.

The castle will now host an information morning on 26 April sharing initiatives including rewilding the estate and educational plans for Bader College, based in the building.

The plans come as Herstmonceux Observatory, also based in the estate, was previously told it would not have its lease extended beyond the end of 2026.

A castle spokesperson said the event "provides an opportunity to learn about several initiatives" including the renovation works, educational plans and a project to rewild the estate.

The free event will also offer access to the castle grounds and gardens for visitors arriving between 10:00 and 12:30 BST.

Teams leading the projects will provide presentations before a question and answer session in the castle ballroom.

Herstmonceux Observatory on the castle estate grounds

In 2023 The Canadian Queen's University, which runs Bader College, was forced to return its students to Ontario after parts of the building were deemed "unsafe".

The castle is also used as a venue for weddings and other events.

The current phase of repairs is expected to be completed this autumn, a spokesperson for the estate said.

In February, campaigners raised further concerns over the future of the Herstmonceux observatory, formerly owned by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Queen's University, which has owned the observatory since the 1990s and leases it to the Observatory Science Centre, said it is "planning for the site's future".

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