Proud heritage, bright future...
Brackenhurst has been a centre of Education and Training for 60 years. During this time the character of the house, gardens, grounds and parkland has been retained, maintaining a friendly atmosphere and beautiful working environment.
The Gardens and Grounds are set out in the style of Edwin Lutyens, containing formal Italianate gardens, rose gardens and a "Willow Pattern" woodland garden complete with a boathouse and dewpond. A working Victorian walled garden, complete with stove ranges and peach cages, allows extended fruit production.
In April 1992 Brackenhurst College became a Further Education Corporation under the Further Education Funding Council. Over the years, the college grew in size, diversified its courses and developed an international reputation for excellence.
In April 1999, Brackenhurst College then merged with The Nottingham Trent University as the School of Land-based Studies. Facilities on Brackenhurst site included specialist units for agriculture, animal science, countryside management, equine science, food science, horticulture and floristry.
A new teaching block was completed in autumn 2002, boasting fine teaching rooms and laboratories designed to cope with the ever expanding provision of courses. The well equipped pilot scale units in the laboratories provide the students an opportunity to be involved in development, production and management of new food products. The new building was a result of two bids to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and worth £2.7 million.
New student accommodation was built in 2006 and now there are 300 new bedrooms all with ensuite facilities, which was nominated for the Outstanding New Student Residence award at The Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2009.
In 2007, the new animal unit and veterinary nursing centre were open to students and then officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex in July 2008. The units provide outstanding facilities for students and helped to create the new veterinary nursing foundation degree which is validated by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
In 2011 the Equestrian Centre has undergone extensive refurbishment to create the necessary teaching, riding and observational space to match our research projects and ambitions.
The campus is constantly being developed and has benefited from a high level of both internal and external funding to achieve the unique, friendly feel the campus has today.
