A HISTORIC building in Coventry has become the city’s first National Trust property.
The Charterhouse – which is re-opening to visitors in the spring – is now under the day-to-day management of the heritage and conservation charity under a new partnership with Historic Coventry Trust (HCT).
The Grade I listed 14th century former monastery in Heritage Park is owned by HCT, a heritage development trust set up in 2011 to restore historic places in the city.
HCT raised the £11.9million needed to restore the Charterhouse and managed every step of the restoration process – and is now drawing on the specialist experience of others to help share the building’s story more widely and to create a sustainable future for the site.
Oli Burke, National Trust Assistant Director of Operations for the South Midlands, said it was an exciting opportunity.
He added: “HCT has done a fantastic job of restoring this historically important building, and through their passion and dedication they’ve created a very special place for the community to enjoy and for those from further afield to discover.
“At the National Trust we have a lot of experience in managing special places for visitors to enjoy and all the nuts and bolts that involves, so we’re very happy to join together with Historic Coventry Trust to be part of Charterhouse’s next chapter.
“As this is our first site in Coventry, we’re particularly looking forward to working with the local community and creating a place where residents can come together and be part of Charterhouse’s present and future.”
HCT Chairman Ian Harrabin said the National Trust’s involvement would open a new chapter for The Charterhouse.
He added: “The increase in visitors will not only make the future of this exceptional building secure, but also have a major impact on Coventry’s growing attraction as a visitor destination.
“We are very excited that this will not be the normal National Trust model of operation but an involved partnership with both Historic Coventry and the community. It is great that National Trust has chosen Coventry as a priority place for its involvement in urban areas.”
Coun Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s spokesperson for Jobs and Regeneration, said the new partnership was a ‘perfect fit’.
He added: “It’s great that we will now have a National Trust property in the city. It’s another huge step in securing our wonderful Charterhouse for future generations of local people and, of course, for many visitors to the city to enjoy.
“I look forward to seeing what this important new partnership will bring to The Charterhouse in this new chapter.”
As well as having a unique place in history, Coventry’s Charterhouse is also home to 15th and 16th century wall paintings which are said to be some of the finest examples of medieval and renaissance art in England.
The outside area includes a landscaped walled garden, and wider green space with a wildlife pond and a community orchard, a children’s play area and a grassland park.
The historic site provides a natural oasis in the heart of Coventry, linking with a wider city Heritage Park, and a unique opportunity to share nationally important heritage with wider audiences.
Mr Burke added: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors to Charterhouse in the spring when we reopen the property. We’re currently working on a programme of activities for everyone to enjoy – look out for updates as we’ll be sharing more details soon.”
The new partnership between HCT and the National Trust has been set out in a lease agreement where the National Trust is responsible for the main Charterhouse building, the 1.7 acre walled garden and an area within the Heritage Park that includes the community orchard and wildlife pond. The National Trust will also manage the car park and commission a local provider to run a cafe at the site.
In addition to managing Charterhouse, the National Trust team will be working with partners to help deliver plans for the wider Heritage Park and green corridor between the park and the city.
Mr Burke continued: “We’ll be working with partners, including the John Muir Trust, to help enhance the Heritage Park green corridor which connects Charterhouse and wider Coventry.
“This will support biodiversity and nature, and provide greenspace for the surrounding communities, bringing people more access to nature, history and beauty.”
Coventry’s Charterhouse is supported by a team of volunteers who help with everything from gardening to visitor tours.
Ahead of the property’s reopening in spring, the National Trust is recruiting more volunteers to join the team and will be holding Volunteer Recruitment Days at The Charterhouse on Saturday January 18 and Tuesday January 21 between 10am and 3pm. All are welcome to drop in and find out more.
