National trust property opens with 'beautiful' garden, play area, park and café

CHARTERHOUSE IS THE FIRST NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY IN COVENTRY 10:41, 22 May 2025 The National Trust has taken on its first property in Coventry - a Grade I-listed 14th century Carthusian

monastery. Coventry Charterhouse is one of only ten Carthusian monasteries ever built in Britain and it was restored in March 2023 when the National Lottery Heritage Fund part-funded the £12

million restoration project. Birmingham chef Glynn Purnell operated a branch of his cafe and bistro out of the historic venue the following April, closing after achieving Michelin Guide

listed status. READ MORE: PUB 'WELL AND TRULY BACK' AS SUTTON COLDFIELD BOOZER PREPARES TO OPEN UNDER OLD NAME SUBSCRIBE TO THE BRUM FOOD CLUB FOR A WEEKLY FOOD AND DRINK

NEWSLETTER, IN YOUR INBOX, EVERY THURSDAY. IT'S FREE. Now the National Trust has taken over management of the building, which is owned by the Historic Coventry Trust. Article continues

below Visitors to the Coventry Charterhouse will be able to enjoy its collection of 'remarkable' 15th and 16th century wall paintings, which are 'regarded as some of the

finest surviving examples of medieval and Renaissance art in England'. Its landscaped walled garden, community orchard, children's play area, green space with wildlife pond and

grassland park are further reasons to explore. The venue opened to visitors for the first time on Wednesday, May 21 and it has plans for a special Festival of Blossom event during May half

term. Charterhouse 60-seat cafe will be open from Wednesdays to Sundays, from 8am until 5pm while the house will open from 10am until 4pm. The gardens will be open from 9am until 5pm.

General admission is priced at £9.50 for adults (or £10.50 with Gift Aid) and £4.75 for children (£5.30 with Gift Aid). Cllr Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities at

Coventry City Council, said: "We are delighted to welcome the National Trust to Coventry and see the remarkable Charterhouse flourish as a hub of culture and heritage. "This

partnership enhances our cultural offer for both residents and visitors – it really does give them the opportunity to experience some Coventry's rich history. "The Charterhouse is

already a key part of Coventry's cultural landscape and I am excited to see how it will inspire and engage our community through its future as a National Trust property." Cllr Jim

O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, commented: "Charterhouse opening as a National Trust attraction – the first in Coventry

– is fantastic news. "It's a great chance to attract more visitors from across the region and beyond, boost the local economy and highlight one of the city's most important

historic sites. "With the backing of the National Trust, the Charterhouse will benefit from national profile and a strong visitor experience – helping to attract more people to the

city, support local businesses and highlight one of Coventry’s most important historic sites as part of our wider tourism offer." Gurminder Kenth, general manager at National Trust,

commented: "As one of Coventry’s oldest surviving medieval buildings, the Charterhouse is an extraordinary place with a rich story to tell, and we're excited to open our doors for

visitors to explore its layered history. "Together with the highly experienced individuals we've welcomed into the fold as we prepare to reopen, we've been overwhelmed by the

huge level of support and enthusiasm from locals coming forward to volunteer as we enter this next chapter together with the Charterhouse. "Volunteers are at the heart of everything we

do at the National Trust and as we've already seen from our constantly growing team at the Charterhouse, the passion to support this new chapter for the Charterhouse has been

remarkable. Article continues below "Working closely with Historic Coventry Trust and the local community, we hope to make this already special place somewhere people from all walks of

life can explore, learn, and feel a real sense of community and history."