Woolbeding Gardens essential building repairs and road closure
We are carrying out essential repairs to the Grade II listed office building at Woolbeding Gardens. While the work takes place, the section of Woolbeding Lane that runs alongside the building will be closed to through traffic. Read on for full details, including timings and diversion routes for motorists.
Timings of the work and road closure
The essential repairs to the Woolbeding Gardens office building will start on Monday 2 March 2026. During this time, the section of Woolbeding Lane that runs south from the junction of Brambling Lane and Hollist Lane alongside the office building will be closed to through traffic.
Our contractors have allowed 14 weeks to complete the work, which would mean an end date of 7 June 2026.
The dates of the repairs were chosen after consultation with the West Sussex County Council Highways department, taking into account the timings of other roadworks to ensure the least possible strain on the road network.
This period also avoids harvest times for farmers, while allowing the work to be carried out as efficiently and safely as possible, with more daylight hours for our contractors to work than in the autumn and winter months.
Access to Woolbeding Lane
Although the section of Woolbeding Lane alongside the office building will be closed to through traffic, vehicles can still enter the south end of the lane for access, including to All Hallows Church.
Walkers and cyclists can continue to use the full length of Woolbeding Lane as we'll be keeping a path open. Cyclists may need to dismount to use the path.
Maps of the road closure
Here you can see maps showing the section of Woolbeding Lane that will be closed.
Woolbeding Lane road closure
The position of the road closure on Woolbeding Lane, highlighted in red.
Alternative routes
While this section of Woolbeding Lane is closed to through traffic, there will be signs in place directing motorists to use the following diversions, subject to suitability:
- Motorists heading south from Liphook and Haslemere to Midhurst and Easebourne should take the A286 Midhurst Road rather than the Linch Road and Woolbeding Lane route. Motorists then heading west to Stedham and beyond should join the A272 Petersfield Road at Midhurst.
- The same route applies in the opposite direction: heading north from Midhurst and Easebourne to Liphook and Haslemere, motorists should take the A286, avoiding the closure on Woolbeding Lane.
- Motorists travelling to Easebourne and Midhurst from north of the road closure at the junction of Brambling Lane and Hollist Lane, should head north along Brambling Lane, Woolbeding Lane and Linch Road to Linch, take Elmers Marsh Lane then go east along Vann Road to Fenhurst, before heading south to Easebourne and Midhurst via the A286.
You can see maps showing the closed section of road above. Towards the start of the work, and while it's being carried out, you can visit traffic management website one.network and search by area and the relevant dates to view live maps of all current roadworks and diversions.
Bus routes
Most local bus routes should not be significantly affected by the road closure. However, the Stagecoach Bus 93 WS, which runs via Woolbeding Lane on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will be diverted.
Stagecoach Bus will provide details of the diversion nearer the time. Changes to routes appear on their service updates web page: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates
About the essential repairs work
The repairs to the office building at Woolbeding Gardens will include work on the roof, walls and foundations.
This will protect the Grade II listed building, and make sure it remains safe for staff and volunteers working there and for members of the public who use Woolbeding Lane. It will also ensure that the building continues to meet government building and safety regulations.
The repairs will also guard against the longer-term risk of debris in the road or larger scale damage to the building, which would be far more disruptive to traffic.
Contractors will be working on-site between 7am and 7pm, Mondays to Fridays.
The work requires a road closure as this section of Woolbeding Lane does not have the minimum width required to accommodate a temporary traffic lights system.
Site security
Access to the works site and the closed section of road will be restricted to contractors and staff. There will be CCTV cameras in operation on the site 24 hours a day.
Visiting Woolbeding Gardens
Woolbeding Gardens is open seasonally and the repairs work and road closure won't affect this. The gardens will reopen for spring and summer as usual, on Thursday 23 April 2026.
During this period, the gardens will be open to visitors on Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30am–4:30pm (with last entry at 3:10pm) and closed on all other days.
Visitors will need to pre-book tickets. National Trust members visit for free but still need to book, via the Woolbeding Gardens website: nationaltrust.org.uk/woolbeding
Please note, there is no car parking on site, except for disabled parking, and no parking along surrounding lanes. Woolbeding Gardens runs a regular shuttle bus service from The Grange Community and Leisure Centre on Bepton Road in Midhurst GU29 9HD (see the website for times).
Contact details
For issues related to the repairs work and road closure, contact the National Trust by emailing woolbedinggardens@nationaltrust.org.uk
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