Spotlight on Sponsors By Celine Leslie, Gravetye Manor
- Can you briefly introduce your organisation and tell us what you do?
Gravetye Manor is a destination hotel and restaurant near East Grinstead, set within the beautiful Sussex Weald. The Elizabethan manor house features 17 luxurious bedrooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant, all surrounded by world-renowned historic gardens. - How long have you been operating in Sussex (or connected to the region)?
The hotel was first established in 1958, and our current owners have been custodians of the property since 2010. - What is your organisation’s connection to heritage, conservation, or the built environment?
The manor house is an important piece of architectural heritage, as is the Wealden landscape in which it sits. Most notable are the gardens, created by the influential horticultural writer William Robinson between 1885 and his death in 1935. His books and magazines shaped modern gardening as we know it, and Gravetye remains the only garden he ever designed. - What inspired your organisation to become a sponsor of the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards?
We were inspired to become a sponsor because the Trust’s mission aligns so closely with our own values of stewardship, conservation, and celebration of Sussex’s unique character. Gravetye Manor exists today thanks to generations of care, and supporting the Sussex Heritage Trust allows us to help champion similar efforts across the county. The Awards shine a light on the people and projects preserving Sussex’s landscape, architecture, and cultural identity. - What does being a sponsor mean to your organisation?
Being a sponsor allows us to contribute to the protection and celebration of Sussex’s heritage while connecting with others who share the same commitment. For Gravetye Manor, sponsorship helps ensure that Sussex’s landscapes, buildings, and traditions continue to inspire people for generations to come. - Why do you believe it’s important to support heritage projects and organisations in Sussex?
The heritage of Sussex is one of the county’s greatest assets, and its continued care is essential. Heritage contributes enormously to the local economy by supporting jobs and underpinning tourism. It strengthens community identity, promotes both physical and mental wellbeing, and preserves the distinct beauty of the region.Supporting the Sussex Heritage Trust also connects us with a dynamic community of professionals, each bringing diverse expertise but united in a shared passion for protecting and celebrating Sussex’s heritage. - Are there any particular Sussex heritage projects or success stories that have inspired you?
One of our greatest inspirations is the sheer diversity, richness, and enthusiasm within Sussex, all of which is championed by the Sussex Heritage Trust.A particularly inspiring example is the restoration of Leonardslee Gardens, recognised by a Sussex Heritage Trust Award in recent years. Once one of the country’s most significant plant collections, the gardens had fallen into neglect and were largely inaccessible. Through substantial investment and dedicated care, they were restored and reopened in 2019. Since then, they have flourished as a thriving attraction, contributing to the rural economy and delighting thousands of visitors. - How do you see the future of heritage in Sussex?
The county is rich in historic buildings and landscapes, and while interest in preserving them seems to remain high, heritage is increasingly under threat, particularly due to the decline in traditional skills needed for restoration and conservation, as well as ongoing development pressures in rural areas. - Are there new initiatives, collaborations, or projects you are planning that will support the heritage sector?
We are deeply committed to sharing and promoting the horticultural heritage of Gravetye Manor through publishing, social media, open days, and talks both locally and internationally. Training young gardeners is central to our mission, helping build the next generation of skilled professionals to care for this heritage.We are also developing a Plant Heritage National Collection of historic Clematis bred at Gravetye, a new and exciting project. As with any garden, new initiatives continue to emerge: this autumn, for example, we planted a collection of handkerchief trees to study their potential climate resilience.Much of our work involves ongoing care of both the gardens and our historic buildings, including our Victorian glasshouses. These have been restored in phases, and next year we will begin renovation of our final cold frame, working with skilled joiner Nigel Peel-Cross. - What does “heritage” mean to you personally?
Heritage encompasses the cultural, natural, and historic assets that have enriched society across generations. Its custodianship means ensuring these treasures are preserved, strengthened, and shared so that future generations can enjoy their full value. Heritage should always be passed on in a better condition than it was received, this responsibility lies with every generation.
