MP admires thelottery boostedGreat Dixter

He was joined on the visit by the South East of Heritage Lottery Stuart McLeod and local Rother councillor Ian Jenkins.

Great Dixter is famous for its gardens created by the late Christopher Lloyd, a gardener and gardening writer who was born and lived there all his life until his death in 2006.

Now in the expert hands of Head Gardener and CEO, Fergus Garrett, the estate continues to draw visitors from all over the world.

Fergus Garrett and Project Director, Victoria Williams, explained how the buildings and facilities at Great Dixter have been preserved and improved with the help of a £4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The timber-framed medieval barn, dating from around 1450, was restored by local craftsmen along with three 19th Century oast houses which are now open to the public.

Derelict farm buildings have been sympathetically restored and converted into new offices; an education centre and student accommodation.

Repairs were also made to the original medieval house and a ground source heat pump and biomass boiler have been installed.

Greg Barker said: “I am delighted to see the national Lottery is still doing good work in our area. Great Dixter could not be looking lovelier, we are really lucky to have it on our doorstep.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund has launched a number of new grant schemes. Details can be found at www.hlf.org.uk.