History behind Our Facilities

Withersdane Hall, formerly an Imperial College of London campus, was used as an agricultural college and university Halls of Residence until 2009. It sits in acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, boasting tennis courts, croquet lawn, ornamental gardens and a theatre.

The Hall was built in the early 1800s as a private residence and since then it has been used for various purposes with a rich history behind it.

In 1940, it became the Divisional HQ for the operation to repel the expected invasion of Kent, home to first the 43rd Wessex Division, and then the 56th (London) Division, housing the divisional general and the intelligence section.

Later on, the house was turned into an Agricultural College and became part of the University halls of residence, with accommodation blocks being added in the 1950s and the 1980s.

The surrounding grounds, now home of The Mind Campus which incorporates Withersdane Hall, is situated on acres of beautiful land and gardens, which feature formal and informal areas, lawns and beds, a Victorian kitchen garden and many rare botanical specimens donated by Kew gardens and the Edinburgh Royal botanic Gardens. The garden was redesigned by Mary Page, and is set within a further 360-hectare estate and open parkland. The main hall is protected by a Grade I listing.