OPEN HOUSE
HIDDEN GEM IS SET TO BECOME A COVENTRY TOURIST ATTRACTION THANKS TO LOTTERY CASH
COVENTRY’S 14th Century Monastery will be opened to the public for the first time in 80 years thanks to £4.3million of National Lottery cash.
The Charterhouse is a Grade 1 Listed 14th century Carthusian monastery set in parkland along the River Sherbourne, off London Road just outside the city centre.
Historic Coventry Trust and Coventry City Council have been working in partnership on plans to restore the medieval building, the walled gardens and grounds.
The massive grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will lead to the opening of a heritage visitor centre and educational attraction as well as the creation of the first 30 acres of a planned 70-acre Heritage Park – just in time for the run up to UK City of Culture 2021.
The plans include creating interactive displays charting the extensive history of The Charterhouse, which was founded by Richard II in 1385, and the recreation of two monks’ cells set in the walled garden and a café. Future plans which are not yet funded include the restoration of the coach house as a wedding and conference venue.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Charterhouse is a site steeped in heritage. From its origins as a medieval Carthusian monastery, to its subsequent associations with Richard II, the Wars of the Roses and 19th-century industrialists, it has a unique story to tell. “This National Lottery funding will allow this precious group of grade I listed buildings to be restored, and a welcoming visitor attraction to be created for the future.”
It has been calculated that the revamped Charterhouse will add £3.5 million a year to the local economy when it opens to the public in 2020.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, city council cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, said: “This is fantastic news for the city. The Charterhouse project will secure access for local people to this amazing building for the first time in its 600 year history.
“It will also be a major boost to tourism with huge potential for creating jobs for local people through the visitor economy. The Charterhouse is one of a number of projects that are going to put Coventry firmly on the tourist map in the run up to 2021.”
Ian Harrabin, chairman of Historic Coventry Trust, said that the grant recognises both the national importance of the site and also the impact that it could have on the community.
“It has been a long road over the past six years with a huge effort from the council and local community alongside our volunteer trustees and team of consultants. It is very exciting news and also a huge relief that we are now so close to starting the project,” he said.
“Although we still have some funding to raise, the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund means that the project is now almost certain to start at the end of this year. We will be calling on the local business community to help us reach the target.
“The Charterhouse is nationally important because it is one of only two Carthusian Monasteries with significant remains in the UK and its wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries are considered to be some of our finest examples of medieval and Elizabethan art.
“The Charterhouse lies at the core of the Heritage Park and is the Trust’s primary project. We are already working on the next phases of the park with the aim of achieving the full 70 acres in time for 2021. The park will make a great venue for many of the year’s cultural events but also will become a perpetual legacy from the 2021 year for future generations.”
Construction work is expected to start in January next year, with it due to open in 2020.
Charterhouse is a site steeped in heritage. From it’s origins as a monastery, to its association with Richard II. Ros Kerslake