One Garden Brighton: a project that continues to grow
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Following a recent visit to One Garden Brighton, it was striking to see just how well established the destination has become. Having completed the restoration of the historic walled garden at Stanmer Park several years ago, it is rewarding to see the site thriving, attracting visitors from across Sussex and beyond, and continuing to fulfil the vision behind the project.
Delivered by Buxton for Brighton & Hove City Council, alongside LUC as Project Manager, Rees Bolter Architects, Scott White and Hookins as Principal Designer, Huntley Cartwright as Quantity Surveyor and The Morton Partnership as Structural Engineer, the project transformed a neglected historic walled garden into a vibrant destination for horticulture, education and the local community.
Construction projects are often judged at the point of completion, but the true measure of success is what happens in the years that follow. One Garden Brighton is an excellent example of a project that has continued to evolve, establishing itself as one of Sussex's best-loved visitor destinations while delivering lasting social, educational and environmental benefits.
Since opening to the public in 2021, One Garden Brighton has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. Its popularity has grown year on year, with visitors drawn not only to the beautifully restored gardens but also to the café, market, seasonal planting, educational activities and events programme. What was once an underused part of Stanmer Park has become a destination that people return to throughout the year.
A key part of that success is the role played by Plumpton College, which operates One Garden Brighton. The gardens provide far more than an attractive public space. They support horticultural education, practical training, sustainability and community engagement, creating opportunities for students while inspiring visitors to learn more about plants, food production and biodiversity.
Walking through the gardens today, it is clear how much the site has evolved since completion. Mature planting has become established, the café and market are thriving, and the gardens have become an integral part of Stanmer Park. Throughout the year, the gardens host a wide range of events, with The Brighton Lights transforming the site each Christmas into an immersive illuminated trail featuring music, festive entertainment and seasonal attractions. It is a great example of how the project has developed into a true year-round destination for families, garden enthusiasts and the wider community.
The project has also received significant recognition. In 2022, One Garden Brighton won the Sussex Heritage Trust Landscape and Gardens Award and received the prestigious South Downs Award. The wider Stanmer Park restoration has also been recognised through industry awards, reflecting the quality of the collaborative work delivered by the entire project team.
For Buxton, it is always rewarding to revisit completed projects and see them succeeding years after practical completion. While the construction phase may have finished some time ago, the project continues to grow in every sense, creating opportunities for learning, supporting the local economy, encouraging biodiversity and providing a welcoming place for the community to enjoy.
Looking back at projects like One Garden Brighton is a reminder that construction is not simply about delivering buildings and restoring historic places. It is about creating destinations that stand the test of time, enrich their surroundings and continue to make a positive difference long after the work has been completed.
