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The Landmark Trust is a British building conservation charity, founded in 1965 by Sir John and Lady Smith, that rescues buildings of historic interest or architectural merit and then makes them available for holiday rental. The Trust's headquarters is at Shottesbrooke in Berkshire.

Key Information

Most Trust properties are in England, Scotland and Wales. Several are on Lundy Island off the coast of north Devon, operated under lease from the National Trust. In continental Europe there are Landmark sites in Belgium, France and Italy. There are five properties in Vermont, US, one of which, Naulakha, was the home of Rudyard Kipling in the 1890s.

The Trust is a charity registered in England & Wales[1] and in Scotland.[2] The American sites are owned by an independent sister charity, Landmark Trust USA. There is also an Irish Landmark Trust.[3]

Those who rent Landmarks provide a source of funds to support restoration costs and building maintenance. The first rentals were in 1967 when six properties were available.[4] The Trust's 200th property, Llwyn Celyn, opened for rental in October 2018.[5] Landmark sites include forts, farmhouses, manor houses, mills, cottages, castles, gatehouses, follies and towers and represent historic periods from medieval to the 20th century.

Governance and administration

[edit]

The Trust employs a 400-person workforce headed by a Director.[6] Anna Keay was appointed Director in 2012,[7] succeeding Peter Pearce (1995–2012) and Robin Evans FRICS (1986–1995).

The work of the Trust is overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by Neil Mendoza.[8]

Prince Charles became Patron of the Landmark Trust in 1995.

A group of high-profile supporters act as Ambassadors for the Trust, helping raise awareness of the Trust's role in rescuing and preserving remarkable buildings. As at March 2017[9] these were: David Armstrong-Jones; George Clarke; Nicholas Coleridge; Simon Jenkins; Griff Rhys Jones; and Natascha McElhone.

In media

[edit]

The Gothic Temple at Stowe was filmed in March 1999 as the Scottish Chapel in the Bond movie The World Is Not Enough.[10]

In May 2015 five life-sized sculptures by Antony Gormley, titled Land, were placed near the centre of the UK and at four compass points, in a commission by the Landmark Trust to celebrate its 50th anniversary. They were at Lowsonford (Warwickshire), Lundy (Bristol Channel), Clavell Tower (Dorset), Saddell Bay (Mull of Kintyre), and the Martello Tower (Aldeburgh, Suffolk).[11] The sculpture at Saddell Bay is to remain in place permanently following an anonymous donation and the granting of planning permission.[12] The sculpture on Lundy was relocated to Cambridge.[13]

The work of the Trust was the subject of a six-part Channel 4 television documentary, Restoring Britain's Landmarks, first broadcast in October 2015.[14]

Four Channel 4 programmes, Great British Buildings: Restoration of the Year, transmitted from 23 March 2017, were co-hosted by Landmark Trust Director Anna Keay and Kevin McCloud. Buildings featured included Belmont, Lyme Regis.

In May 2025, two More4 programmes, Historic House Rescue, were transmitted featuring Calverley Old Hall and Fairburn Tower.

Properties available for holiday lets

[edit]

The following lists aim to be complete and illustrate both the variety of structures and geographical spread of the trust. In the Trust's early years, prior to the incorporation of the charity, properties were often bought with the support of the Manifold Trust. The Landmark Trust's current portfolio also includes properties bequeathed to the Trust, leased, or operated through a management agreement on behalf of other owners. Dates of acquisition and first lettings are shown where available from Landmark Trust or other published sources; time differences between dates often reflect previous/current ownership and the extent of restoration required.

Detailed histories of each building are prepared by the Trust's Historian during its renovation. These include summaries plus before and after photographs of restoration works as carried out. Each building history is then left as an album in the property for visitors to peruse. All Trust property history albums were made available online for the first time in October 2018.[15]

Channel Islands

[edit]
Fort Clonque, Alderney

England

[edit]

Lundy

[edit]

The Landmark Trust manages the Island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel on behalf of the National Trust, and operates a number of holiday cottages there. The properties managed by the Trust include:

  • The Barn
  • Bramble Villa East
  • Bramble Villa West
  • Castle and Keep Cottages
  • Government House
  • Hanmers
  • Millcombe House
  • The Old House
  • The Old Light
  • The Old School
  • The Quarters
  • Radio Room
  • St John's
  • Square Cottage
  • Stoneycroft
  • Tibbets

London and South East England

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
43 and 45a Cloth Fair Smithfield London EC1 1981 Two properties. 43 is the former home of the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman.
Cobham Dairy Cobham Kent 2016/17 2019 Grade II* ornamental dairy designed by James Wyatt in the 1790s in the style of an Italianate chapel, on the Buildings at Risk register.[16] The Trust launched an appeal in 2016 to rescue the building and had raised £200,000 by 31 March 2017, thereby securing a further £200,000 match funding from Ecclesiastical Insurance.[17] The full target of £954,000 was achieved by late 2017. Renovation started during 2018 and was completed in Autumn 2019.[18]
Fox Hall Charlton West Sussex 1983
Goddards Abinger Common Surrey 1991 1997 Architect: Edwin Lutyens 1898–1900, 1910
Gothic Temple Stowe Buckinghamshire 1970 1977
The Grange Ramsgate Kent 1997 2006 Architect: Augustus Pugin
Georgian House, Hampton Court Palace East Molesey Surrey 1993 1993 Built as a kitchen, later housing Foreman of the Gardens and Clerk of Works.[19]
Hole Cottage Cowden Kent 1969 1970
Laughton Place near Lewes East Sussex 1978
Luttrell's Tower Eaglehurst, near Southampton Hampshire 1968 1968
Mayor's Parlour, Maison Dieu Dover Kent 2020 2025
Obriss Farm near Westerham Kent 1990 1996
The Old Parsonage Iffley, Oxford Oxfordshire 1997
Oxenford Gatehouse Elstead Surrey 2009 2010
Princelet Street Spitalfields London E1 2004 2005
The Prospect Tower Belmont Park, Faversham Kent 1990 1992
St Edward's Presbytery Ramsgate Kent 2010 2015
Sackville House East Grinstead West Sussex 1995 1997 Bequeathed by Ursula Honess, granddaughter of Sir Aston Webb.[20]
Semaphore Tower Chatley HeathCobham Surrey 2018 2021
The Steward's House Oxford Oxfordshire 1985 1986
Wilmington Priory near Eastbourne East Sussex 1999 2000 Leased from Sussex Archaeological Society who operated it as a museum until 1992. Appeal launched for restoration and renovation in 1995/1996.[21]

East of England

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
The Ancient House Clare Suffolk 1999 Heritage Lottery Fund grant £82,200 towards restoration, 1997[22]
Appleton Water Tower Sandringham Norfolk 1976 1977
Cavendish Hall Cavendish Suffolk 2010 2010
Freston Tower Ipswich Suffolk 2001 2005
Houghton West Lodge Houghton Norfolk 1990 1996
Keeper's Cottage Shuttleworth Bedfordshire 2004 2007
Lynch Lodge Alwalton, near Peterborough Cambridgeshire 1983
Manor Farm Pulham Market, near Diss Norfolk 1979
Martello Tower Aldeburgh Suffolk 1971
Methwold Old Vicarage Methwold Norfolk 1998 2002
New Inn Peasenhall Suffolk 1971 Three separate lets prior to refurbishment in 2013
Peake's House Colchester Essex 1995 1995
Purton Green Stansfield Suffolk 1969 1971
Queen Anne's Summerhouse Shuttleworth, Old Warden Bedfordshire 2004 2009
Stoker's Cottage Stretham Cambridgeshire 2005 2007
Warden Abbey Old Warden Bedfordshire 1974 1976 Remodelled 2017
The Warren House Kimbolton Cambridgeshire 2004 2012

North of England

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
The Banqueting House, Gibside Gibside Tyne & Wear 1977 1981 Winner in Sunday Times / Jackson-Stops & Staff "Country House Awards", April 1988[23]
Beamsley Hospital near Skipton North Yorkshire 1983 1983
Brinkburn Mill near Rothbury Northumberland 1990 1992
Calverley Old Hall Calverley West Yorkshire 1981 1984
Causeway House Bardon Mill Northumberland 1988
Cawood Castle Cawood, near Selby North Yorkshire 1985
Coop House Netherby, near Carlisle Cumbria 1992
Cowside Langstrothdale North Yorkshire 2011
Culloden Tower Richmond North Yorkshire 1981
The Grammar School Kirby Hill North Yorkshire 1973 1975
Howthwaite Grasmere Cumbria 1986
Morpeth Castle Morpeth Northumberland 1988 1991
The Music Room Lancaster Lancashire 1974 1977 Negotiations to purchase started 1970.[24] Refurbished 2013
The Pigsty Robin Hood's Bay North Yorkshire 1988 1991
The Ruin Hackfall, Grewelthorpe North Yorkshire 2001 2005 Hackfall Gardens acquired by the Woodland Trust in 1989 who invited Landmark Trust to restore this building, then known as Mowbray Point. Appeal for purchase (£10,000) and restoration (£250,000) launched 1990.[25]
The Station Agent's House Manchester Greater Manchester 2023 2024

Midlands

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
Abbey Gatehouse Tewkesbury Gloucestershire 1986 Built 1500, standing guard over Tewkesbury Abbey
Alton Station Alton Staffordshire 1970 1972 Former railway station for Alton Towers
Astley Castle Nuneaton Warwickshire 1995 2012 First lease surrendered 2001.

Winner of the 2013 Stirling Prize

The Bath House Near Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire 1987 1991
The Birdhouse Badger Dingle Shropshire 2015 2016
Bromfield Priory Gatehouse Near Ludlow Shropshire 1990 1993 First listed as opening in 1992[26]
Bush Cottage Near Bridgnorth Shropshire 2011 2011
The Chateau Gate Burton Lincolnshire 1981
Field House Minchinhampton Gloucestershire 1986
The House of Correction Folkingham Lincolnshire 1982 1986
Ingestre Pavilion Tixall Staffordshire 1988 1991
Iron Bridge House Ironbridge Shropshire 1972 1977
Knowle Hill Near Ticknall Derbyshire 1989 1994 Building restoration started 1992[27]
Langley Gatehouse Near Acton Burnell Shropshire 1992 1993 Repairs funded by English Heritage[28]
Lengthsman's Cottage Lowsonford Warwickshire 1992 2006 Located on the towpath of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal
Lock Cottage Stoke Pound Worcestershire 1991 1993 Built between 1790 and 1815, located on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal
North Street Cromford Derbyshire 1974 1987 Earliest piece of planned industrial housing in the world, at the heart of a designated World Heritage Site.
Old Campden House – East Banqueting House Chipping Campden Gloucestershire 1987 1990
Old Campden House – West Banqueting House Chipping Campden Gloucestershire 1998 2003
32 St Mary's Lane Tewkesbury Gloucestershire 1982
St Winifred's Well Woolston, near Oswestry Shropshire 1987
Shelwick Court Near Hereford Herefordshire 1981 1984
Swarkestone Pavilion Near Ticknall Derbyshire 1985
Tixall Gatehouse Near Stafford Staffordshire 1968 1977
The Tower Canons Ashby Northamptonshire 1980
The White House Aston Munslow Shropshire 1990 1991

Southwest

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
Anderton House Goodleigh Devon 2000 2003 Architect: Peter Aldington, 1969
Arra Venton Lower Porthmeor Cornwall 1991[29] First listed as opening in 1989[23]
Beckford's Tower Bath Somerset 2000 2000
Belmont Lyme Regis Dorset 2006 2015
Bridge Cottage Peppercombe Devon 1988
The Captain's House Lower Porthmeor Cornwall 1995 1995 Previously leased to National Trust; Lease transferred to Landmark Trust 1995[30]
Castle Bungalow Peppercombe Devon 1988 1991
Cawsey House Great Torrington Devon 1989 1998 Opened in April 1998 as 28 South Street.[31]
The Chapel Lettaford, North Bovey Devon 1978
The China Tower Bicton Devon 2013 2013
Clavell Tower Kimmeridge, Wareham Dorset 2006 2008 Appeal for restoration, including re-siting away from cliff edge, launched February 2003.
The College Week St Mary Cornwall 1976 1978
Coombe A hamlet of eight properties situated next to a confluence of two streams and 1/4 mile from Duckpool Beach. The ford adjacent to Ford Cottage is the location for occasional rubber duck races.
Coombe – The Carpenter's Shop Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1966 1969
Coombe – Chapel Cottage Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1966 1967
Coombe – Coombe Corner Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1984
Coombe – Ford Cottage Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1966 1969
Coombe – 1, Hawkers Cottage Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1969 1985
Coombe – 2, Hawkers Cottage Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1968 1968
Coombe – 1, Mill House Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1966 1968
Coombe – 2, Mill House Coombe, Bude Cornwall 1966 1968
Crownhill Fort Plymouth Devon 1987 1995
Danescombe Mine Calstock Cornwall 1972 1973
Dunshay Manor Worth Matravers Dorset 2006 2019 Bequeathed to the Trust in 2006 by Mary Spencer Watson.[32][33] Initially part of the Trust's Legacy Estate, proposed for a 20-year lease from 2013, much repair work was undertaken in the subsequent four years. In Spring 2018 the Trust announced further renovation would take place during the Summer to enable the Manor to be available for lets from 2019.[34] Bookings for the manor from May 2019 onwards were opened on 9 March 2019.[35]
The Egyptian House Penzance Cornwall 1968 1971
Elton House Bath Somerset 1982 1996 Bequeathed by Philippa Savery, 1982[36]
The Farmhouse Lower Porthmeor Cornwall
Frenchman's Creek Helford Cornwall 1987 1990
Gurney Manor Cannington Somerset 1984 1992
Kingswear Castle Near Dartmouth Devon 1987 1990
The Library Stevenstone Devon 1978
Margells Branscombe Devon 1975 1976
Marshal Wade's House Bath Somerset 1975 1976
The Old Hall Croscombe Somerset 1975 1976
Parish House Baltonsborough Somerset 1990 1995 First listed as "Church House" for opening in 1992[26]
Peters Tower Lympstone Devon 1979
Pond Cottage Endsleigh, near Tavistock Devon 1983 1984
The Priest's House Holcombe Rogus Devon 1984
Robin Hood's Hut Halswell, Goathurst Somerset 2000 2004
Sanders Lettaford, North Bovey Devon 1976 1978
Shute Gatehouse Near Axminster Devon 1978
Silverton Park Stables Silverton Devon 1987 2008
Stogursey Castle Stogursey, Bridgwater Somerset 1982 1983
Swiss Cottage Endsleigh, near Tavistock Devon 1977 Designed by Jeffrey Wyatville
The Wardrobe Salisbury Wiltshire 1979
Whiteford Temple Callington Cornwall 1984
Winsford Cottage Hospital Halwill Junction Devon 2019 Grade II* former Cottage Hospital designed by CFA Voysey in 1900, also on the Buildings at Risk register.[37] After being declared surplus to needs by the NHS in 1999, the hospital was acquired by the Winsford Trust who gained some support for renovation from English Heritage and the Pilgrim Trust.[38] Proposals for joint community use and a Landmark Trust holiday let were presented to the local community in November 2016.[39] In June 2017 an appeal was launched to save the hospital by raising £355,000 within twelve months, adding to an initial £96,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and money raised through other groups and supporters.[40] By April 2018, the appeal was within sight of its target, needing a final £40,000 to unlock a total Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £486,000.[41] The Trust announced on 19 July 2018 the full required sum of £1.5m had been raised.
Wolveton Gatehouse Near Dorchester Dorset
Woodsford Castle Near Dorchester Dorset 1977 1992
Woodspring Priory Near Weston-super-Mare Somerset 1969 1992 Priory Church, Infirmary and Farmhouse acquired from National Trust, 1969. Restoration completed in phases:[42]

a) Priory Tower: 1969–1971

b) Priory exterior; removal of Priory interior additions; Infirmary: 1971–1976

c) Farmhouse roof: 1980–1983

d) Farmhouse window plan; South front; Interior: 1983–1992

Wortham Manor Lifton Devon 1969 1974 2 flats let until 1990

Scotland

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
Ascog House Ascog Isle of Bute 1989 1993
Auchinleck House Auchinleck East Ayrshire 1999 2001 Acquired from Scottish Historic Buildings Trust with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and an anonymous benefactor.[43] Built by Lord Auchinleck, father of James Boswell.
Berriedale, Shore Cottages near Wick Caithness 2010
Castle of Park Glenluce Dumfries and Galloway 1990 1993
Collegehill House Roslin Lothian 2002 2002
Fairburn Tower Inverness Highland 2013 2023
Gargunnock House Stirling
Glenmalloch Lodge Newton Stewart Dumfries and Galloway 2004
Mackintosh Building Comrie Perthshire 1985 1985
Old Place of Monreith Port William Dumfries and Galloway 1983
The Pineapple Dunmore Central Scotland 1973 1974
Rosslyn Castle Roslin Lothian 1977 1985
Saddell Castle Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1978
Saddell House Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1998 2004
Saddell Lodge Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1984 2001
Saddell – Cul na Shee Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1978
Saddell – Ferryman's Cottage Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1990
Saddell – Shore Cottage Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1978
Tangy Mill Kintyre Argyll and Bute 1973 1981

Wales

[edit]
Name Image Town County Acquired Opened for lets Notes
Bath Tower Caernarfon Gwynedd 1967 1969
Church Cottage Llandygwydd Cardiganshire 1966 1967 Landmark Trust's first property
Clytha Castle near Abergavenny Monmouthshire 1974
Coed y Bleiddiau Tan-y-Bwlch, Maentwrog Gwynedd 2014 2018 Built in 1863 as an intermediate stop on the Ffestiniog Railway for the railway's Superintendent. Later used as a holiday home by Sir Granville Bantock. Renovated following a joint appeal with the railway.[44] Opened for lets April 2018. Retains a private platform to the railway as its main access.
Dolbelydr Trefnant Denbighshire 1999 2003
Llwyn Celyn Llanvihangel Crucorney Monmouthshire 2014 Medieval Hall House, formerly part of the Llanthony Priory Estate in the Brecon Beacons Black Mountain area. Under scaffolding from 2009, acquired 2011. Opened for lets October 2018 after two years' on site restoration.[45]
Maesyronnen Chapel near Hay-on-Wye Powys 1985
Monkton Old Hall Monkton Pembrokeshire 1979 1982
Paxton's Tower Lodge Llanarthney Carmarthenshire 1966 1967 Lodge to Paxton's Tower
Plas Uchaf near Corwen Merionethshire 1971 1973 Leased from Merionethshire County Council, 1971. Updated 2010 including underfloor heating, new kitchen and reconfigured bathroom.
Poultry Cottage Leighton, Welshpool Powys 1988
Stockwell Farm Old Radnor Powys
Tower Hill St David's Pembrokeshire 1965 Dilapidated cottages replaced by new building for first lets
Ty Capel, Rhiwddolion near Betws-y-Coed Gwynedd 1967
Ty Coch, Rhiwddolion near Betws-y-Coed Gwynedd 1968
Ty Uchaf, Rhiwddolion near Betws-y-Coed Gwynedd 1998 2001
West Blockhouse Dale Pembrokeshire 1969 Palmerston Fort, protecting Milford Haven

Belgium

[edit]
  • Hougoumont, close to the site of the Battle of Waterloo. The Trust contributed to the Chateau Hougoumont farm's £3M restoration, from 2013. An apartment in the former gardener's cottage over the south gates has been let since 2015.

Italy

[edit]
The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna, Italy. John Keats lived in the house in the right foreground.
  • Casa de Mar, San Fruttuoso – from summer 2016
  • Casa Guidi, Florence – from 1995
  • Piazza di Spagna, Rome – from 1982
  • Sant'Antonio, Tivoli – from 1995
  • Villa Saraceno, Agugliaro – restored 1984–1995
  • Villa dei Vescovi, Padua (two apartments) – from 2006

United States

[edit]

Properties under restoration

[edit]

Projects in development

[edit]

New potential projects:[46]

  • Ibsley Watch Tower, Ibsley, Hampshire – Derelict watch tower at one of the twelve RAF airfields in the New Forest. Held on a 99-year lease by RAF Ibsley Heritage Trust.
  • Mavisbank, nr Edinburgh, Midlothian – Joint project with Historic Environment Scotland for Scotland's first Palladian villa.
  • The South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire - in partnership with the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust
  • The Clock Tower, Wemyss Bay, Firth of Clyde - Category A listed Italianate tower attached to one of Scotland's finest railway stations

Other projects previously considered for restoration

[edit]

Other properties previously considered by the Trust, but not progressed to completion, include:

  • Almshouses, Denton, Lincolnshire[47] – demolished by then owner Sir Bruno Welby, subsequently convicted in 1980 of unauthorised demolition of historic buildings and fined £1,000 plus costs[48]
  • Falsgrave Signal Box, Scarborough, North Yorkshire – under consideration from 2016 to March 2019[49]
  • The Master's House, Maidstone, Kent – rejected 2002 on grounds of size
  • Mausoleum, Seaton Delavel – rejected for risk of repayment of Department of the Environment grant[47]
  • Warder's Tower, Biddulph, Staffordshire – leased from Staffordshire County Council 2008–2010, returned when no acceptable solution could be found for dealing with four colonies of bats

Former properties

[edit]

Properties formerly run as holiday lets and owned, leased or run by the Landmark Trust on a management arrangement basis include:

  • All Saint's Vicarage, Maidenhead – First floor flat in Vicarage complex designed by G.E. Street. Advertised as being prepared for opening for lets in 1990[50] and in 1991 but not listed in 1992.
  • Edale Mill, Edale, Derbyshire – The Trust bought the mill in 1969 and converted it into seven flats. Six were sold after conversion with one being retained for holiday lets until c. 2012.
  • Fish Court, Hampton Court Palace – owned by Historic Royal Palaces. Withdrawn from property portfolio in 2014.
  • The Harp Inn, Old Radnor, Powys
  • Higher Lettaford, North Bovey, Devon – sold in 2013 as no longer appropriate to the Trust's property portfolio
  • Hill House, Helensburgh – top floor flat returned to National Trust for Scotland in 2011
  • Hougoumont, near Waterloo, Belgium - no longer listed for rent following the expiry of the previous lease
  • The Master's House, Gladstone Pottery – The Gladstone Pottery Museum was transferred to Stoke-on-Trent Museums in 1994.
  • Meikle Ascog, Ascog, Argyll & Bute – sold in 2013 as no longer appropriate to the Trust's property portfolio
  • Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, Gif-sur-Yvette, Essonne, France (formerly let as three properties: La Célibataire, Le Maison des Amis and Le Moulin) – sold in 2020 by the landowner
  • Sandford House, 7 Lower High St, Stourbridge, West Midlands[47]
  • 30, St Mary's Lane, Tewkesbury – bought in 1969 and let to local tenants from 2006
  • Wellbrook Beetling Mill, Cookstown, Co Tyrone – returned to National Trust

Legacy Estate – other properties owned by the Trust

[edit]

In addition to properties let for holiday rentals, the Trust has been bequeathed other properties which it has refurbished and managed in other ways, through its Legacy Estate. These include:

  • Fountain Hotel, 92 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight – acquired 2010
  • The Tower, Netherne Hospital, Netherne-on-the-Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey – bequeathed 2015[51]

Handbooks

[edit]

Details of each property available to rent are available online, on the Trust's website, and in a Handbook. Twenty-seven editions of the Handbook have been published to 2025:

Edition number Year Editor Cover
1 1966
2 1968 Green
3 1970 Moss/Lime Green
4 1971 Red
5 1972 Blue
6 1973 Moss Green
7 1977 John Smith New Inn, Peasenhall
8 1988 Charlotte Haslam Laughton Place
9 1989 Charlotte Haslam Cawood Castle
10 (25 years anniversary edition) 1990 Charlotte Haslam Swarkestone Pavilion
11 1991 Charlotte Haslam Kingswear Castle
12 1992 John Smith and Charlotte Haslam The Bath House
13 1993 John Smith and Charlotte Haslam Prospect Tower
14 1994 Charlotte Haslam Woodspring Priory
15 1995 Charlotte Haslam Beamsley Hospital
16 1996 Constance Barrett Tixall Gatehouse
17 1998 Old Light, Lundy
18 1999 Constance Barrett Banqueting House
19 2001 Constance Barrett Swarkestone Pavilion
20 2003 Sophie Horton and Katherine Oates Prospect Tower
21 (40 years anniversary edition) 2005 Freston Tower
22 2006 Gothic Temple
23 2008 The Pineapple
24 2011 Culloden Tower
25 (50 years anniversary edition) 2014 Helen Hartstein The Library
26 (published November 2018) 2018 St Winifred's Well
27 (60 years anniversary edition) 2025 Bridge Cottage

Archives

[edit]

The Landmark Trust Lundy Island Philatelic Archive was donated to the British Library Philatelic Collections in 1991 and is located at the British Library.[52]

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Landmark Trust

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Landmark Trust is a British charity founded in 1965 by Sir John Smith and his wife Christian Smith, focused on rescuing historic buildings at risk of ruin or demolition, restoring them through sensitive conservation, and repurposing them as self-catering holiday rentals to ensure their long-term preservation and public enjoyment. Since its inception, the organization has grown significantly, acquiring and restoring over 200 properties across the , including castles, follies, mills, and medieval cottages that represent diverse aspects of Britain's architectural heritage. Key early milestones include the 1969 lease of Lundy Island in the , which added 23 self-catering properties to its portfolio, and subsequent expansions that emphasized traditional craft skills in restorations. The Trust's approach has earned acclaim, such as the 2013 for the restoration of Astley Castle in , highlighting its innovative integration of modern living within historic structures. Today, the Landmark Trust operates as one of the UK's leading conservation organizations, primarily generating revenue from holiday lets to welcome approximately 60,000 visitors annually and fund maintenance, supplemented by donations and occasional grants, while also producing detailed History Albums for each property to document their cultural significance. It supports affiliated entities like the and the Irish Landmark Trust, extending its model internationally, and actively promotes by preserving heritage as a resource against climate challenges. Through initiatives like the Landmark Craft Skills Fund, it champions endangered building trades, ensuring that restorations remain authentic and skilled labor is sustained for future generations.

History

Founding and Early Development

The Landmark Trust was founded on 24 May 1965 by Sir John Smith, a businessman and philanthropist, and his wife Lady Christian Smith, in direct response to the rapid demolition and neglect of historic buildings in the post-World War II era. Motivated by the loss of smaller, often overlooked structures that larger conservation bodies like the could not prioritize, the couple established the organization as a registered charity (number 243312 in ) to rescue and preserve such sites for public benefit. From its inception, the Trust targeted lesser-known architectural gems—follies, gatehouses, cottages, and similar buildings—at imminent risk of destruction, aiming to restore them while maintaining their historical integrity. The first property acquired was Church Cottage, a modest 19th-century caretaker's dwelling adjacent to St David's Church in Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, Wales, purchased from the Representative Body for the Church in Wales in 1965. Restoration began in March 1966 under local contractors, involving structural repairs, excavation, and the addition of essential modern facilities like a kitchen and bathroom, and was completed by May 1967. Following an advertisement in The Sunday Times, it opened as the Trust's inaugural holiday let on 27 May 1967, marking the start of the organization's unique model of self-funding through rentals while ensuring public access to heritage sites. This project exemplified the founders' vision of blending conservation with practical use, transforming at-risk buildings into viable, income-generating assets. In its early years, the Trust faced significant challenges, particularly in securing funding for acquisitions and restorations, as public awareness and donor support were limited. Sir John and Lady Smith relied heavily on their personal resources, supplemented by proceeds from the Manifold Trust—a 1962 venture they had created to generate charitable funds through lease acquisitions—and initial private donations from their network. Administrative operations began modestly from the couple's home near in , where they coordinated the Trust's nascent activities amid a of postwar development pressures. Despite these hurdles, the organization's commitment to authentic, hands-on preservation quickly gained traction, laying the foundation for its growth into a leading conservation charity.

Expansion and Key Milestones

Following its founding principles of rescuing and reusing at-risk historic buildings, the Landmark Trust undertook ambitious expansions in the late 1960s and 1970s, most notably securing a 60-year for Lundy Island in 1969 from the . This project involved restoring and managing 23 buildings on the island, along with infrastructure improvements and public access initiatives, marking the Trust's first major foray into overseeing an entire . Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Trust steadily grew its portfolio by acquiring and restoring a range of structures across the , focusing on properties that embodied architectural or historical significance while adapting them for sustainable use. This period laid the groundwork for broader national coverage, with the organization responding to increasing numbers of at-risk buildings through targeted conservation efforts. By the early , the Trust had established a robust network of holiday lets, demonstrating the viability of its reuse model amid economic pressures by launching public appeals to fund key restorations. The 2000s and saw accelerated growth and high-profile achievements, including the innovative restoration of Astley Castle in , completed in 2012 after a lease was secured in 1995; the project integrated modern living spaces within the ruins and earned the Stirling Prize in 2013 for its architectural excellence. In 2015, the Trust expanded internationally for the first time with the opening of in , a restored farmhouse at the Waterloo battlefield site, funded in part through a £3 million appeal to coincide with the battle's bicentenary. These efforts helped the portfolio surpass 200 properties by the late , emphasizing to ensure long-term preservation. In the 2020s, the Trust navigated challenges like the by pivoting to digital engagement, including an online Festival of Landmark in 2020 featuring virtual content about its properties, and securing grants from the Culture Recovery Fund to maintain sites and support craftspeople during closures. Partial involvement in major restorations continued, such as a 2024 partnership with the Preservation Trust to convert the South Tower into a holiday let, addressing the site's post-mining recovery. Recent openings include the Station Agent's House in in May 2024, the Trust's first property in the city, restored in collaboration with the to highlight industrial heritage. The Mayor's Parlour at Maison Dieu in Dover opened in May 2025 as a six-person accommodation, reviving medieval rooms designed by . To bolster skills for future projects, the Trust established the Landmark Craft Skills Fund, providing training and development opportunities for junior craftspeople in traditional techniques essential for historic restorations. Overall, these expansions have enabled the preservation of over 200 buildings, with holiday lettings—welcoming more than 61,000 guests in 2023 alone—generating income to sustain ongoing maintenance and conservation.

Mission and Operations

Building Selection and Preservation Philosophy

The Landmark Trust selects buildings based on three primary criteria: historical or cultural importance that contributes to representing the breadth of British architectural and , genuine risk of loss through , , or inappropriate alteration, and viability for conversion into self-catering holiday accommodation that ensures long-term financial . The considers a wide range of building types and ages, including , forts, cottages, small industrial structures, 20th-century sites, buildings, and historic churches, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented aspects of history, urban regeneration projects in town centers, and properties in and the central and regions. It regularly reviews the UK's Heritage at Risk Registers to identify suitable at-risk properties and receives approximately 100 proposals annually from owners or stakeholders, of which only a small fraction—typically one or two—are selected after rigorous evaluation for funding feasibility and alignment with these standards. In its preservation philosophy, the Landmark Trust prioritizes the retention of a building's historic character and authenticity through minimal intervention, reversible repairs, and the use of traditional crafts and materials that match the original standards, such as for and hand-crafted for structural elements. This approach involves thoughtful judgments to reverse later alterations only if they obscure finer original features or contribute to decay, avoiding or conjectural reconstructions to preserve the building's genuine historical fabric. The Trust employs specialist contractors, in-house craftspeople, and apprentices trained since 2015 in conservation trades to execute these works, ensuring high-quality outcomes that balance heritage integrity with discreet integration of modern amenities like en-suite bathrooms within the existing shell. Adherence to established UK conservation guidelines, including those from , underpins this methodology, promoting repairs that are sympathetic and non-damaging to the . Sustainability forms a core component of the Trust's philosophy, incorporating energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation, draught-proofing, air source heat pumps, and solar panels where feasible, without compromising the historic fabric—for instance, solar installations were integrated into the restoration of Fairburn Tower. The organization commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045 through low-carbon heating systems and ongoing maintenance that enhances efficiency while prioritizing . In broader conservation efforts, the Landmark Trust collaborates with bodies like and the on projects such as the management of Island, advocating for the protection of at-risk structures against and supporting national heritage initiatives. By the end of 2024, the Trust had completed restorations on six additional properties, demonstrating continued implementation of its mission. This integrated strategy not only rescues individual buildings but also contributes to the wider discourse on sustainable heritage preservation.

Holiday Accommodation Model and Public Access

The Landmark Trust operates a self-catering holiday accommodation model, restoring historic buildings into lettable properties that sleep between 2 and 16 guests, with most accommodating 2 to 12 individuals. These rentals provide an affordable way to experience Britain's architectural heritage, with prices starting from £20 per person per night and averaging £77 per person per night in 2026, though whole-property rates typically range from £200 to over £900 per night depending on size and location. All revenue generated from these lettings is reinvested directly into the maintenance and further restoration of the properties, enabling the charity to sustain its preservation efforts without reliance on an endowment. To promote inclusivity, the Trust incorporates various features across its portfolio. Many are dog-friendly, allowing two dogs per stay for a of £20, while others offer ground-floor bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens suitable for guests with limited mobility, including lifts in select buildings. Short-stay options, such as two-night weekends, are available year-round, and promotions like a 15% discount on late availability bookings within six weeks encourage flexible access. Beyond overnight stays, the Trust facilitates public engagement through non-rental access initiatives. Free open days at various properties allow informal visits, often tied to local events, while the Landmark Futures program provides complimentary group stays for educational institutions to support academic study. Virtual tours and online explorations of select buildings have been introduced in the to broaden reach, particularly during periods of restricted physical access. This model delivers significant economic impact by attracting approximately 61,000 overnight guests annually as of 2023, supplemented by thousands more day visitors to open events, thereby supporting the charity's operations independently of routine government grants. Guests enjoy unique experiences tailored to the historic character of the buildings, such as atmospheric stays that evoke medieval life, with options for group getaways and remote retreats integrated into surrounding communities to boost local economies through visitor spending.

Governance and Administration

Organizational Structure and

The Landmark Trust is headquartered at Shottesbrooke Park in , , with additional regional offices including those for Island and Crownhill Fort to support on-site operations. The organization employs a 500-strong team, comprising regional staff who manage day-to-day building maintenance and custodians, alongside specialists such as curators, architects, and surveyors. Key departments include the Estates Department, which oversees restoration and with roles like Estates Director McDonough, regional surveyors covering areas from South-West to , and a workshop team for hands-on craft work; the Development Department, focused on fundraising with a dedicated head and staff; and and finance functions led by figures such as Head of Alice . Leadership is headed by Director Dr Anna Keay OBE, who has served since July 2012, bringing expertise as a historian, curator, and broadcaster previously with and . The Board of Trustees, chaired by Alan Leibowitz since succeeding Neil Mendoza in 2021 (with Mendoza now serving as an Ambassador), includes members such as Brian Millar, Helen Webb, Ptolemy Dean, Sarah Hall, Hannah Parham, and Janet Walker, drawn from backgrounds in culture, heritage, conservation, and business. The board meets formally four times annually and engages in site visits to existing and prospective properties to guide strategic decisions, including approvals for major acquisitions and restorations. The Trust also collaborates with external experts, such as , for technical advice on preservation projects, exemplified by joint efforts to document craft techniques at restoration sites. Decision-making emphasizes trustee oversight for significant initiatives, with the board providing on project selections and through its meetings and advisory input. Staff development is prioritized through initiatives like the Landmark Craft Skills Fund, which integrates training into restoration projects; the 2023 Impact Review highlighted opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, and in traditional skills such as and carpentry across major sites. Founded in 1965 by Sir John and Lady Smith as a founder-led initiative, the Trust evolved into a professionalized charity by the , marked by Smith's retirement in 1990, the appointment of new , and a shift toward independent fundraising and expanded operations.

Funding, Donors, and Financial Management

The Landmark Trust's primary funding derives from revenues generated by holiday lettings, which accounted for approximately 71% of its total income in 2024, amounting to £14.45 million out of £20.23 million overall. This model emphasizes self-sufficiency, with lettings income covering essential repairs, maintenance, and operational costs without reliance on public subsidies. Donations and legacies contribute around 24% of income, totaling £4.79 million in 2024, including £1.49 million from legacies, while grants and other sources make up the remainder, such as £114,000 from grants and £988,000 from investments. Donor engagement is facilitated through programs like the "Friends" membership, which provides benefits such as priority booking and exclusive invitations, encouraging ongoing support for preservation efforts. Targeted appeals fund specific restoration projects, exemplified by the £10.5 million refurbishment of the Maison Dieu in Dover, supported in part by a £4.27 million grant from and additional donor contributions. Legacy giving is promoted via a dedicated updated in 2025, highlighting how such gifts ensure long-term funding for building rescues and sustainability initiatives. Financial management focuses on balanced budgets and prudent investments, as evidenced by annual reports demonstrating net assets of £75.58 million in 2024 after liabilities of £7.62 million. The Trust maintains transparency through audited accounts published yearly and registration with the Charity Commission (no. 243312), ensuring accountability for all funds. Post-2022 challenges, including inflationary pressures on energy and supply costs, have been addressed via diversification strategies such as corporate group lettings and merchandise sales, including gift vouchers and the digital Handbook, to bolster revenue streams.

Properties Available for Holiday Lets

Channel Islands

The Landmark Trust maintains two distinctive properties in the , both emphasizing the region's maritime fortifications and island isolation. These sites offer holiday lets that immerse guests in the area's Victorian defensive heritage and history, accessible primarily by from the UK mainland or neighboring islands. Fort Clonque, located on the rocky northwestern tip of , is a mid-19th-century harbor defense fort built between 1853 and 1855 to protect against French naval threats. Designed by William Jervois for 55 men and 10 guns, it became obsolete with the rise of steam-powered warships and later served as a private residence before German occupation during , when machine-gun posts and a were added. The Landmark Trust acquired it in 1966 and undertook extensive restoration, removing wartime concrete additions, reinstating the Victorian exterior with local materials, and modernizing interiors, including the addition of electricity in 1990; minimal updates have occurred since the 2010s to preserve its rugged isolation. Sleeping up to 13 guests across six bedrooms, the fort features a and that becomes cut off at high tide for up to 60 minutes, enhancing its secluded, car-optional setting with panoramic sea views, nearby colonies for birdwatching, and opportunities for coastal walks or cycling. In 2025, availability includes stays from December, starting at £1,160 for four nights. Nicolle Tower, situated in the rural parish of St Clement on Jersey's southeastern coast, is a Gothic Revival constructed in 1821 by Philippe Nicolle, originally as a signal station with roots tracing to a maritime lookout and a 1644-dated block in its foundation. During the 1940–1945 German occupation, it was expanded with a third-floor . The Landmark Trust purchased the derelict structure in , restoring it by stripping render, rebuilding walls, installing new windows, and sensitively updating interiors while retaining historical elements; like Fort Clonque, it has seen no major changes since the , prioritizing its preserved coastal character. This compact tower sleeps 2 in a double bedroom and offers elevated panoramic views of the sea and Jersey's landscape from 160 feet above, ideal for secluded stays with access to nearby footpaths and cycling routes toward (5 km away). Ferry access to supports its island appeal, and 2025 bookings are available from , with rates starting at £184 per night.

England

The Landmark Trust manages over 150 properties in available for holiday lets as of 2025, representing the majority of its portfolio and showcasing a diverse range from medieval gatehouses and houses to coastal signal stations and Victorian . These sites span the country's regions, emphasizing the charity's commitment to preserving architectural heritage through self-funding holiday accommodations that allow public access to otherwise at-risk buildings. In , properties highlight historic charitable institutions and revived manor houses amid 's landscapes. Beamsley Hospital, an Elizabethan house near in , accommodates up to 10 guests in its restored communal setting, originally built in 1593 for impoverished women. Calverley Old Hall, a 14th-century manor near revived in the 2020s, serves as a community space alongside holiday lets, blending private stays with public events in its timber-framed structure. The feature iconic restorations of ruined castles and gatehouses, underscoring early successes in . Astley Castle in , dramatically restored in 1974 after partial collapse, sleeps 8 in its ivy-clad ruins, exemplifying the Trust's pioneering approach to habitable heritage. Tixall Gatehouse in underwent significant upgrades in 2024, enhancing accessibility while preserving its 16th-century Tudor features for up to 6 guests. Southwestern England offers coastal and rural retreats, including newly acquired medical heritage sites. Winsford Cottage Hospital on , , opened in 2019 as a let sleeping 6, preserves a 19th-century purpose-built facility once serving the local community. Cobham in , a late 18th-century Gothic-revival dairy near Cobham, provides cozy accommodation for 4, reflecting the Trust's in everyday agricultural structures. In the South East and areas, properties include defensive and signaling architecture with moated and coastal elements. Semaphore Tower in , , a Napoleonic-era coastal signal station, sleeps 4 and offers panoramic sea views from its isolated location. Laughton Place in , a moated Tudor manor remnant near , accommodates 6 in its atmospheric ruins, evoking medieval defensive designs. The Trust's lease of Lundy Island in the , , since 1969, adds unique island properties blending with isolation. The Old Light, a decommissioned 1819 , sleeps 5 and provides a dramatic setting for stays amid the island's reserve. Recent additions continue to expand access in urban settings, such as the Station Agent's House in , which opened in 2024 as a let sleeping 4, transforming a Victorian railway structure into a city-center . This variety ensures England's Landmark properties cater to diverse interests, from historical immersion to scenic escapes, all maintained to high preservation standards.

Scotland

The Landmark Trust manages approximately 20 properties in available for holiday lets as of 2025, with a strong emphasis on remote Highland and island settings that offer self-sufficient, rugged escapes immersed in natural landscapes. These sites highlight 's dramatic terrain, from coastal peninsulas to offshore islands, providing guests with opportunities for seclusion and exploration of unspoiled environments. Many properties integrate subtly with surrounding areas, such as coastal habitats and gardens that attract local fauna, aligning with the Trust's broader goals. Key among these is Saddell Castle in , a 16th-century perched on the shore of Saddell Bay overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound toward the Isle of Arran. Originally built around 1510 by the Bishop of , the castle underwent a major rejuvenation in the early 2020s, including the addition of two new bathrooms, an upgraded kitchen, and reconfigured bedrooms to enhance comfort while preserving its historical fabric. This Category A-listed structure now sleeps eight and welcomes dogs, offering direct beach access and views that emphasize its medieval defensive origins. In the Highlands, Fairburn Tower near Muir of Ord in Ross-shire represents a rare surviving example of Scottish Renaissance architecture, dating to the mid-16th century. The tower, which had fallen into ruin, was restored through a £2 million project completed in the early 2020s and opened for lets in 2023, featuring modern amenities within its original pink-harled walls. Sleeping four, it provides a self-contained stay amid Highland scenery, with no on-site facilities beyond the property itself, underscoring the Trust's model of independent holiday accommodation. Island properties further exemplify this focus, particularly on the Isle of Bute, where Ascog House offers a Victorian-era laird's residence with 17th-century roots. Built in the 1670s and extended in the , the house overlooks gardens and wildlife-rich views of the , sleeping eight with dog-friendly policies and electric vehicle charging. Other rugged sites, such as those on the Peninsula near islands, echo this theme of isolated, resilient stays. Collectively, these medieval towers and Georgian-influenced houses cater to 2025 bookings seeking remote escapes, with minimum stays starting at four nights from around £180 per property.

Wales

The Landmark Trust maintains approximately 18 properties in available as self-catering holiday accommodations, selected for their architectural merit and historical significance in line with the organization's preservation philosophy. These sites span North and , highlighting the region's diverse heritage, including ties to literary figures and industrial developments such as the slate quarrying era. Many are family-oriented, featuring enclosed gardens, wood-burning stoves, and spacious layouts suitable for groups, with a majority welcoming dogs for an additional fee. In , properties emphasize remote, scenic locations with cultural depth. Dolbelydr, located in Trefnant, , is a 16th-century house built around 1578 and restored by the Trust starting in 1999; it served as home to Henry Salesbury, whose Grammatica Britannica (1593) advanced modern Welsh linguistics, and accommodates up to 6 guests in two twin and one double bedroom, complete with an orchard garden. Coed y Bleiddiau, near in within Eryri National Park, is a granite-and-slate from 1863 built for the superintendent of the , a key artery of the 19th-century Welsh slate industry; it sleeps 4 and offers direct access via a halt, though dogs are not permitted. South Wales holdings focus on coastal and border areas, often with Gothic or maritime influences. Paxton's Tower Lodge in Llanarthney, , is an early 19th-century caretaker's cottage adjacent to the Nelson-memorial of Paxton's Tower (1811); acquired jointly with the in 1966, it sleeps 5 in one double and one triple room, with an enclosed garden and dog-friendly policy. Clytha Castle near in , a Gothic Revival from 1790–1793 built as a widow's retreat, provides accommodation for 6 amid parkland, underscoring the Trust's interest in landscape aesthetics. As of 2025, enhanced dog-friendly options are available at over half of the Welsh portfolio, including properties like Dolbelydr and Paxton's Tower Lodge, supporting up to two dogs per stay. Recent conservation efforts have incorporated improvements, such as better parking and ground-level amenities where feasible, though the historic nature of these buildings often limits full adaptations like stairlifts.

International Properties

The Landmark Trust maintains a select portfolio of international properties available for holiday lets, concentrated in to promote and preserve sites with ties to British history. As of 2025, these comprise approximately eight buildings outside the , emphasizing structures of architectural or historical importance that align with the charity's conservation ethos. In , the Trust's sole property is Hougoumont Farmhouse, located on the Waterloo battlefield near . This walled farm complex played a pivotal role in the on 18 June 1815, where British and allied forces under the Duke of Wellington held the position against French assaults, contributing decisively to Napoleon's defeat and the reshaping of European . Acquired in 2003 by a preservation group and restored through a collaborative effort involving British and Belgian volunteers starting in 2007, the site features a sensitively renovated first-floor within the historic farmhouse, accommodating up to four guests with period furnishings and views of the surrounding fields. The restoration prioritized authenticity, repairing battle-damaged structures like the and gates while installing modern amenities discreetly. The Trust's international holdings are most extensive in Italy, where seven self-catering accommodations span , , and coastal regions, often linked to British literary and cultural figures. Notable examples include in , an apartment overlooking the that served as the final residence of poet in 1821, restored to evoke 19th-century with high-beamed ceilings and tiled floors for up to four guests. In , Casa Guidi offers a spacious apartment in the former home of poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett , where they resided from 1847 to 1861; the property sleeps five and preserves original frescoes and manuscripts from their tenure. Other Italian sites, such as the fisherman's cottage Casa de Mar near and the former monastery Sant'Antonio outside built over a , highlight diverse architectural styles from medieval to , each restored in partnership with local Italian authorities to ensure compliance with heritage regulations. These properties underscore British expatriate influences in Italy during era. Managing these overseas assets involves unique cross-border logistics, including collaborations with local preservation bodies and EU-funded initiatives for maintenance, as seen in the bilingual operations at and Italian sites. The Trust's 2025 emphasis remains on European heritage, fostering tourism that connects visitors to shared Anglo-European histories like the , without expansion into non-European regions.

Restoration and Development Projects

Properties Under Restoration

The Landmark Trust maintains a portfolio of properties actively undergoing restoration or significant upgrades, focusing on preserving historic integrity while enhancing functionality for future holiday lets. As of November 2025, a key ongoing project is Lower Porthmeor in , a cluster of three coastal fishermen's cottages dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Upgrades here address environmental challenges inherent to seaside locations, including the installation of ground source heat pumps for energy-efficient heating, electrical system renewals, damp-proofing repairs, and improved ventilation to combat salt air corrosion. The Captain's House will gain an additional bedroom and shower room to increase capacity from four to six guests, while Arra Venton receives a new first-floor WC; all three buildings are undergoing interior redecoration and kitchen enhancements for modern comfort. These works, emphasizing sustainable retrofits alongside traditional lime-based renders and timber repairs, are slated for completion in early 2026, allowing the site to resume as a group holiday destination. A prior completion is Fairburn Tower in the , a 16th-century house restored at a cost of approximately £2 million using traditional stonework and techniques to stabilize its ruins, with the project finalized at the end of 2022. Final touches, such as internal furnishings and landscaping, were completed post-handover, and the restoration earned a shortlisting for the 2025 Doolan Prize for . Restoration efforts across these sites face common hurdles, including weather-related delays from prolonged wet seasons in the UK, which disrupt external masonry and roofing works, and shortages of skilled artisans proficient in heritage crafts like hand-cut stone and lime plastering. Project costs typically range from £1 million to £5 million per site, depending on scale and condition, funded through a mix of grants, legacies, and public appeals that have raised millions collectively—for instance, over £2 million in donations toward specialized elements at sites like Maison Dieu. The Trust employs traditional methods such as scarfed timber repairs, breathable lime washes, and site-specific thatching where applicable, guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention to retain authentic fabric. Annually, the organization manages 4 to 6 active restoration phases, balancing new acquisitions with upgrades to its existing estate of over 200 properties.

Projects in Development

The Landmark Trust receives approximately 150 proposals each year for potential new projects, encompassing a wide range of historic buildings across , , and that require rescue or repurposing. The evaluation begins with initial site surveys to assess a building's , condition, and suitability for conversion into self-catering accommodation, followed by detailed feasibility studies that include professional cost estimates and analysis of restoration challenges. Among the prospective projects in early planning stages is the South Tower at , a grand 18th-century Palladian mansion in , where the Trust is collaborating with the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust to develop a let for two guests as part of broader site regeneration efforts. Another key horizon building is Mavisbank House, an 18th-century Palladian ruin near designed by William Adam in 1723, which received a £5.3 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund in 2024 to secure its future, with ongoing stabilization work and partnerships involving Midlothian Council, , and the Mavisbank Trust, and £505,000 still needed for phase one. Additional candidates under consideration include the RAF Ibsley Watch Office in , a rare Second World War control tower requiring £721,507 for urgent preservation, and the at Wemyss Bay on the , a structure needing repairs to become viable as a for two. As of 2025, the Trust plans to launch public appeals for several of these initiatives, including the South Tower at , while maintaining a cautious approach to international scouting due to resource constraints. These developments align with the organization's focus on climate-vulnerable sites, such as coastal or flood-prone structures, to safeguard heritage amid environmental threats like and storms. Funding preparations involve pre-appeal phases with targeted donations and collaborations with landowners and preservation groups to ensure sustainable acquisition and restoration. Through such efforts, the Trust aims to expand its portfolio beyond its current holdings of over 200 properties, prioritizing buildings at risk to enhance access and conservation impact.

Former and Other Properties

Former Properties

The Landmark Trust has divested certain properties from its holiday let portfolio. Examples include the following cases, where sales included covenants to protect historical integrity. Church View, a former adjacent to the Parish House in Baltonsborough, , was acquired in 1992 as part of a larger medieval site restoration. After integrating portions of its structure to restore the Parish House's medieval roof, the Trust sold Church View in 1995 to a private owner, complete with covenants to safeguard its historical integrity and separate garden. This disposal allowed the charity to focus resources on the core Parish House for public letting while securing the ancillary building's future. In , Meikle Ascog, an early Victorian lodge on the Isle of Bute acquired and restored by the Trust in 1989–1990, was sold to a private owner in 2013. The sale ensured the property's ongoing viability outside the Trust's rental model, with arrangements to protect its architectural features and historical context alongside the retained Ascog House. Another example is Manor Farm in , which was handed over to the Trust's care by donors in 1979 before the donors relocated; it later formed part of related properties like Methwold Old Vicarage. Internationally, the Trust divested Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, the former French residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, in 2019 for approximately £5.6 million after operating it as a high-capacity B&B accommodating up to 36 guests. Acquired in the 1980s and restored to highlight its 1950s glamour, the property's sale reflected financial and operational challenges in maintaining such a large estate for letting, though its legacy as a preserved 18th-century mill with royal associations endured.

Legacy Estate and Other Owned Properties

The Landmark Trust maintains its administrative headquarters at Shottesbrooke Park, a historic estate in White Waltham near , . This site, featuring a 14th-century church alongside converted stables and a farmhouse, houses the director's office and functional teams including finance, development, historic estates, marketing, human resources, and IT. Originally the home of the Trust's founder, Sir John Smith, until his death in 2007, the estate supports day-to-day operations while exemplifying the organization's commitment to conserving historic structures for ongoing use. Central to the Trust's holdings is the Legacy Estate, comprising approximately 50 buildings gifted through wills or donations, ranging from historic estate cottages to modern flats and shops. These properties, many of which possess significant historical or architectural value, are preserved in perpetuity to ensure their long-term care and integration into local communities. Examples include the 17th-century Reader’s House in , , bequeathed by Richard Grigson and Alan Layng for community benefit, and a cluster of cottages donated by Tony and Beryl Siddons in 1990 to support the charity's work. Unlike the Trust's holiday-let portfolio, the Legacy Estate properties are managed through long-term tenancies or commercial lets, generating stable income that funds restoration projects and the Landmark Craft Skills Fund without relying on short-term rentals. This approach emphasizes minimal intervention to maintain authenticity, with public access restricted primarily to special events or guided tours to protect the sites' integrity. As of the latest available data (site copyright 2025), these assets—totaling around 50—bolster the organization's conservation mission by providing financial sustainability and exemplifying perpetual stewardship of donated heritage.

Publications and Media

Handbooks and History Albums

The Landmark Trust has published handbooks since the as comprehensive guides to its properties, evolving from early editions that featured just six buildings to more expansive volumes covering the organization's growing portfolio. The first edition appeared in the , serving as a promotional tool for the nascent charity, while subsequent iterations in the late and expanded to include photographs, brief histories, and practical booking information for letting properties. By the 1980s and beyond, the handbooks became periodic, weighty compendiums—often annual or biennial—detailing all available sites with in-depth overviews, architectural notes, and visitor guidance, reflecting the Trust's mission to preserve and share historic buildings. The 27th edition, launched in 2025 to mark the Trust's 60th anniversary, represents the latest in this , encompassing all 204 with high-quality images, historical essays, and details on potential future projects; it includes newly opened sites such as the Mayor's Parlour at Maison Dieu in Dover. Produced through in-house research by Trust staff and external contributors, these handbooks are printed in limited runs and sold for £25 (including postage), with proceeds directly supporting conservation efforts. A digital e-Handbook version, introduced to enhance and , offers a downloadable PDF for £2, mirroring the print content and updated to reflect current offerings. Complementing the handbooks are the Landmark History Albums, scholarly booklets produced since 1965—one for each property—to provide detailed narratives on their architectural significance, ownership histories, and key events. Over 200 such albums have been created, each typically spanning 50-100 pages and authored by the Trust's in-house historians, including figures like Caroline Stanford, who draws on to offer objective accounts of the buildings' roles in British history. These works emphasize contextual depth, covering everything from medieval origins to modern restorations, and serve as essential educational resources for visitors and scholars alike. Originally printed for internal use and distribution to guests, the albums transitioned to full digital availability in late via an online , allowing free access without physical sales to prioritize conservation through other channels.

Media Coverage and Appearances

The Landmark Trust has received notable coverage in television documentaries highlighting its restoration efforts. Channel 4's Historic House Rescue series, which aired episodes focusing on the charity's work to save endangered buildings, featured projects such as the restoration of Fairburn Tower in Scotland, showcasing the meticulous process of reviving historic structures for public use. Additionally, the BBC's Wild Isles documentary series included a segment on Lundy Island, one of the Trust's properties, emphasizing its role as a Marine Protected Area and its ecological significance. In print and online media, the Trust has been profiled for its unique approach to . A 2022 House & Garden article highlighted some of the most extraordinary holiday rentals offered by the Trust, praising the diversity of restored sites from castles to . Similarly, a 2018 gallery showcased historic vacation rentals managed by the Trust, noting their affordability and architectural value as a way to experience Britain's past. Coverage in The Guardian has included features on major restoration projects tied to the Trust's anniversaries and specific properties, such as a 2024 article on the newly opened Station Agent's House in , described as a Georgian gem ideal for exploring industrial heritage. Recent press in 2024 and 2025 has spotlighted the Trust's expansion and accessibility. The opening of the Station Agent's House garnered attention in outlets like Manchester Confidential, which called it "the best house for hire in " for its connection to the world's first passenger railway. A 2025 Telegraph feature celebrated the Trust's 60th anniversary, discussing free stays for charities and its role in affordable historic travel. The Trust's cultural impact extends to inspirations in and strong digital presence, with over 126,000 followers on as of late 2025, where it shares restoration stories and user experiences. Properties have influenced heritage narratives, as seen in the book Landmark: A History of Britain in 50 Buildings, which uses Trust sites to trace architectural evolution. To support media engagement, the Trust maintains a dedicated press office offering high-resolution images of its 203 for free use, along with contact for enquiries, and collaborates with content creators through social channels to promote heritage awareness.

Resources and Legacy

Archives

The Landmark Trust maintains an extensive archival collection documenting its activities since its founding in , encompassing acquisition files, restoration blueprints, correspondence, photographs, and related materials for each property under its care. Housed in , this collection provides a comprehensive record of the organization's conservation efforts and the historical significance of its buildings. Key components of the archives include the founder papers, featuring letters and documents from the Smith family, as well as detailed per-property dossiers containing maps, inventories, and site-specific records that trace the evolution of each landmark from acquisition through restoration. These materials serve as primary sources for understanding the Trust's decision-making processes and the architectural heritage of its portfolio. The Trust's History Albums, scholarly accounts of each building's history, are fully digitized and available online for download as of 2025. Access to the archives is available to researchers by appointment only, primarily supporting the production of the Trust's History Albums; while there are no public exhibits, items are occasionally loaned to museums for temporary displays. Preservation measures include climate-controlled storage facilities and annual cataloging to ensure the integrity of these irreplaceable records. The Irish Landmark Trust, established in 1992, operates as an independent with a mission to rescue, restore, and share Ireland's built heritage through self-catering holiday rentals, mirroring the preservation model of the original British Landmark Trust. It currently manages 33 distinctive properties across the island of , including lighthouses, castles, towers, and gate lodges, all adapted for public use while preserving their historical character. Recent enhancements, such as the bathroom upgrade at Batty Langley Lodge in to modernize facilities without compromising its 18th-century Gothic features, underscore the organization's ongoing commitment to sustainable . In 2025, the Irish Landmark Trust continues to emphasize self-catering experiences, with all properties open for bookings that support long-term conservation efforts. The Landmark Trust USA, founded in 1991 as a separate nonprofit based in , adopts the same stewardship approach by restoring historic buildings and offering them as vacation rentals to fund their upkeep. It oversees five properties in southern , including the Naulakha, Rudyard Kipling's former home where he wrote , with a sixth property, the Naulakha Stable, planned to open in late 2025. This addition aligns with broader plans for potential expansion into neighboring states like , , and , though focused primarily on properties for now. These affiliates share the Landmark Trust's model for , ensuring the longevity of at-risk historic sites through lettings income and public engagement.

References

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  7. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/3.-images-and-documents-to-keep/annual-reports-and-reviews/annual-report-2017.pdf
  8. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/mar/10/guardianobituaries.obituaries
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  14. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/discovering-lundy/history/landmark-lundy/
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  18. https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/renovation-astley-castle-warwickshire-been-5068173
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  24. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/explore/craft-and-restoration/station-agents-house-progress/
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  27. https://www.facebook.com/landmarktrust/posts/landmark-is-60-since-our-foundation-in-1965-weve-rescued-more-than-200-at-risk-h/923272699943987/
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  29. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/restoring-historic-buildings/our-approach-to-buildings/
  30. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/explore/craft-and-restoration/major-repairs-at-north-street-thanks-to-the-cultural-recovery-fund/
  31. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/sustainability-qa/
  32. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/sustainability-at-landmark/
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  34. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/3.-images-and-documents-to-keep/annual-reports-and-reviews/landmark-trust-impact-review-2023.pdf
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  42. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/get-involved/landmark-futures/
  43. https://www.facebook.com/landmarktrust/posts/applications-of-futures-202526-are-now-openoffering-free-group-study-stays-to-te/1124314539839801/
  44. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/3.-images-and-documents-to-keep/annual-reports-and-reviews/the-landmark-trust-annual-report-2022.pdf
  45. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/1-aa-new-responsive-site-images/website/news--events/recent-publications/the-landmark-trust---impact-review-2019.pdf
  46. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/holiday-ideas/stay-in-a-castle/
  47. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/holiday-ideas/group-getaways/
  48. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/people/
  49. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/3.-images-and-documents-to-keep/job-descriptions/estates-department-structure---dec-2024.pdf
  50. https://rocketreach.co/the-landmark-trust-management_b5c21d23f42e0ea8
  51. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/our-people/directors/
  52. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/our-people/trustees/
  53. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/about-us/our-people/landmark-ambassadors/neil-mendoza/
  54. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/explore/craft-and-restoration/meet-the-craftspeople/
  55. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/support-us/join-as-a-friend/
  56. https://www.dover.gov.uk/Leisure-Culture-Tourism/Heritage--Museums/Town-Hall/Maison-Dieu-Restoration-Project.aspx
  57. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/terms/merchandise-tandc/
  58. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/location/channel-islands/
  59. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/fort-clonque/
  60. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/globalassets/3.-images-and-documents-to-keep/history-sheets/fort-clonque-history-sheet.pdf
  61. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/nicolle-tower/
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  63. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/location/scotland/
  64. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/saddell-castle/
  65. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/explore/craft-and-restoration/rejuvenating-saddell-castle/
  66. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/fairburn-tower/
  67. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/explore/craft-and-restoration/saving-fairburn-tower/
  68. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/ascog-house/
  69. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/landmark-trust/
  70. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/location/italy/
  71. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/hougoumont-waterloo-24855/
  72. https://www.projecthougoumont.com/the-restoration-project/
  73. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/piazza-di-spagna/
  74. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/properties/casa-guidi/
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  120. https://landmarktrustusa.org/naulakha-stable
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