£1m grant secured for restoration work on Deepdene Grade II gardens

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has announced that £1m grant has been awarded to the ‘Hope Springs Eternal’ Project, following an application for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Although the project is led by Mausolea Monuments Trust, several partners were involved in the successful bid to secure funding.

The £1m grant will fund the restoration work to the Deepdene estate and surrounding area, which includes garden buildings, key paths and site of the historic Deepdene House - once the home of renowned Regency taste-maker Thomas Hope.

After the two-year project is complete, residents and visitors will be offered an opporutnity to visit the sights of one of the country’s forgotten estates, located just outside Dorking town centre.

Public access to the existing Grade II gardens will be extended, due to Kuoni Travel and Dorking Golf Club, and access to the adjacent Betchworth Castle and the Hope mausoleum will feature on a newly formed Deepdene Trail.

The project will also provide an array of educational activities with an aim of encaging with the local community through the Dorking Museum.

The HLF grant will help support the restoration work that has been carried out since 2011.

Stuart McLeod, head of HLF South East, said: “We’re delighted to fund the next exciting chapter in Deepdene’s story, which has included periods as a 17th century Italianate style garden described as the ‘epitome of paradise’ and as a Second World War base for a railway company. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players this story will be brought to life, providing a fantastic boost for our region’s heritage”.

Councillor Vivienne Michael, MVDC’s executive member for Community Engagement & Resident Services, added: “The Heritage Lottery Fund’s award is wonderful news and will enable us to share this fantastic asset and environmental gem with residents and visitors, helping to boost prosperity in our District. The project will provide many inspiring educational opportunities for residents and visitors as well as opening up the highly attractive Deepdene area for walkers, encouraging everyone to enjoy being outdoors and to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.”