On 10th January 2025, the National Trust (NT) took over management of Coventry’s historic Charterhouse, which will re-open in the Spring.
The Historic Coventry Trust was responsible for the restoration of this 14th Century former monastery off London Road at a total cost of £11.9 million.
The Trust will take over the day-to-day running of the Grade 1 listed building together with the 1.7 acre walled garden area and an area within the Heritage Park including the community orchard and pond. They will also oversee the café and manage the car park.
The National Trust’s great expertise in managing historic buildings and sites and the marketing of Charterhouse to its five million members is expected to bring visitors to Coventry from a wide area.
The Trust is also piloting a new approach with much more community involvement and partnership with other organisations in the operation of the facilities.
The site is due to re-open in the Spring, although a specific date has not yet been announced.
The existing dedicated volunteer team at the Charterhouse will continue to support the NT. But there is also a recruitment drive for new volunteers. Volunteer Recruitment Days are being held at The Charterhouse on Saturday 18 and Tuesday 21 January between 10am and 3pm. Those interested to find out more are invited to drop-in.
The takeover of the Charterhouse can be seen as part of a new strategy for the National Trust, which was also launched on 10th January. The Trust is giving a stronger focus to equality, with more accessible sites and removing the obstacles to people accessing nature and heritage.
One of the new priorities for the National Trust is a focus on nature restoration. At the Charterhouse the Trust will work in partnership with the John Muir Trust and local people in the job of restoring land and ecosystems.
CovSoc members will have the opportunity of hearing more of the plans of the John Muir Trust at their AGM in April and a study tour in May.
The Coventry Society was responsible for setting up the Charterhouse Trust, which later became the Historic Coventry Trust. CovSoc Chair, Trevor Cornfoot, said “We are excited to learn that the NT are taking over day-to-day management of the Charterhouse. We look forward to working with them and also the John Muir Trust, on the ongoing development of one of Coventry’s most important heritage assets”.