Date is set for renovation of Charterhouse
WORK ON HISTORIC BUILDING SET TO GET UNDERWAY IN EARLY 2018
THIS is what Coventry’s historic Charterhouse could look like after a huge renovation and restoration project.
Historic Coventry have released images of how the 14th century monastery in London Road could be revamped with investment from Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England and other supporters.
Work to restore the former refectory and house will begin in early 2018, as well as work to build new facilities on the site, including a café, shop and visitor and conference centre. It could also be used to host weddings and events.
Two monks cells and part of the inner cloister will be reconstructed as part of the proposed work.
Work will also be done to transform the gardens and parkland surrounding the site that was once used as part of Coventry City College.
Trustees of Charterhouse say that their aim “is to tell the stories of the Charterhouse from its inception as a Carthusian Monastery, a place of silent worship, a Tudor home, market garden and provider of food to local dignitaries, and a Victorian home, until its last owner Col William Wyley, who bequeathed the house to the city.
“The ultimate aim of the project is to live up to the wishes of this bequest.” They added that they want to “key times in the site’s history, but also acknowledge that there is still lots of history to be discovered through ongoing archaeology and research.”
In 2015, the building won a £200,000 English Heritage grant to repair and rebuild its medieval priory precinct walls.
Founded in 1381, the Carthusian Priory was the last of the four great monasteries in the city and is now owned by the Charterhouse Coventry Presentation Trust who took over from Coventry City Council through an asset transfer.
The priory was founded by Richard II who laid the foundation stone of the church himself in 1385. During Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, most of the buildings were demolished leaving only a few remaining in the UK, making this site particularly special.
In August 2016, plans were unveiled for a heritage park at trail at the site which would include a two-mile long loop walk.
The council and trust also hope to open up a section of the River Sherbourne for visitors to walk along.
The Historic Coventry Trust, which has been working on the plans with the council, has received a £4.7million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to commence the first stage of the new heritage park.