Building Restoration Work Starts At Historic Warwick Site
Building Restoration Work Starts At Historic Warwick Site
Heritage restoration work has started at an important historic site in Warwick. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project will see historic buildings at an 800-year-old former hospital site transformed into new affordable rent homes.
St Michael's Place, derelict for over 50 years, is of particular historic interest due to below ground remains of a 13th century leper hospital, designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The site has been on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register since the first edition in 1998.
West Midlands Heritage and Warwick District Council are working in partnership to restore and convert the empty listed buildings. The collaboration between a Building Preservation Trust and Local Authority to rescue heritage buildings at risk for sustainable use as affordable rent housing extends a model that West Midlands Heritage has used in Worcestershire and tackles two important issues: creating a viable secure use for historic buildings, and providing more affordable rent homes.
Key Handover Event
Left to right: Cllr Jess Melrose, Graham Leach and Cllr Pam Redford (Warwick District Council), Kieran Harper (Splitlath Limited), Ed Barron and David Trevis-Smith (West Midlands Heritage) and John Dimbylow (Splitlath Limited) on site at the scaffolded Master's House, St Michael's Place, Warwick.
The project has reached a key milestone of appointing building contractors, Splitlath Ltd, a specialist building conservation company that has been trading since 1867, with their roots firmly in the West Midlands.
Volunteers, local groups and schools will be able to take part in the project through events and training opportunities, allowing people opportunities to enjoy and play a part in Warwick's heritage.
St Michael's Chapel & Master's House
The historic buildings at St Michael's Place, Warwick, prior to scaffold protection of the Master's House.
“We are delighted to have reached this important point in the delivery stage of our project at St Michael's Place, Warwick, after much hard work from our dedicated team and incredible support from the local community. This has only been made possible thanks to funding from National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, adding to funding awarded by Warwick District Council, Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Warwick Town Council. We are now able to ensure that St Michael's Place will return to providing homes, continuing a thread in time that stretches back for 800 years on this site!”
Corinne Brazier Chair of West Midlands Heritage"Thanks to National Lottery players, these remarkable medieval buildings will be rescued from decades of dereliction. Their new lease of life will benefit Warwick and complement our other investments in the historic town such as the Lord Leycester Hospital."
Liz Bates Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Heritage Lottery Fund“It is great news that work is finally starting to bring the Chapel and Master's House back into use. This has been a key Cabinet priority, preserving an important part of Warwick's heritage while securing its future. I am grateful to the dedication and commitment of the team involved especially those at West Midlands Heritage and the funders for this project.”
Councillor Jess Melrose Portfolio Holder of Housing, Warwick District Council“We have been working closely with partners towards a solution for St Michael's Place Warwick for many years now and to see the hard work of the Trust, as well as other partners, coming to fruition is wonderful. These beautiful buildings will now have the chance to be cherished and used by future generations.”
Deborah Williams Historic England Midlands Regional DirectorWest Midlands Heritage has been able to progress the scheme through various stages since the start of the Trust's involvement in 2016 thanks to funding awards over that 10-year period from Warwick District Council (£1,213,000), The Architectural Heritage Fund (£390,304), Historic England (£440,000), The Pilgrim Trust (£15,000), Warwick Town Council (£5,000), and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£2,964,199).
Explore more details or download media assets for coverage
Willow Court Wednesdays – Quilling Workshop
Willow Court Wednesdays – Quilling Workshop
6 August 2025 10am-12pm
Come join us at Droitwich Spa & Rural Council For Voluntary Service for a fun-filled morning learning the art of quilling. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Get creative and create your own unique masterpiece to take home, inspired by the theme of home.
The session will be taken by local crafty queen Dee Woolford.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your artistic side and meet fellow crafters. See you there! To book click here
Refreshments will be available.
This workshop is free. It is made possible because of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project at Willow Court Farmhouse, Droitwich Spa.
Questions? Email projectadmin@wbpt.org.uk
Willow Court – Letter Writing Workshop
Willow Court Wednesdays
Letter Writing Workshop
3rd September 2025 – 10am-12pm
Come join us at Droitwich Spa & Rural Council For Voluntary Service for a fun-filled morning learning the art of letter writing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Get creative and enhance your letter writing skills, inspired by the theme of home.
The session will be taken by local lettering writing champion Donna Quinn.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your creative side and meet fellow crafters. See you there! To book click here
Refreshments will be available.
This workshop is free. It is made possible because of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project at Willow Court Farmhouse, Droitwich Spa.
Dudley 2 Canal HoDs 2025 – Architecture Walk
Dudley 2 Canal HoDs 2025 – Architecture Walk
13 September 2025 – 3pm
Black Country Boating Festival at Bumble Hole Nature Reserve, Windmill End, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 9HS
Join us for a guided walk along Dudley Canal 2 and the launch of Dudley Canal 2 Heritage Picture Trail.
During the walk we will explore the real life places depicted in the work of local artist Phillip Adams.
The walk celebrates the launch of a new trail map of this section of the canal, containing artwork of key points along the canal by West Midlands Heritage Trustee Philip Adams. Phillip will accompany the group and explore how he created the images. You will be able to compare the artwork, created from the 1950s -1970s to the current buildings and landscape of the canal.
The walk will begin at 3pm at the site of the Black Country Boating Festival, Participants will be transported to the start of the walk via minibus, and the walk will terminate back at the Festival. It will last approximately 2 hours
Sensible shoes should be worn, along with appropriate clothing for the weather. We won’t cancel for rain, but may cancel in the event of extreme weather conditions.
Places are limited so early booking is essential.
The walk is approx. 2.5 miles on mostly flat ground – there is one stretch containing a short, steep walk up and downhill as the trail passes over a tunnel.
During the day the West Midlands Heritage Team will be at Black Country Boating Festival. Why not come and visit us to learn more about our work and have a go at a make and take activity.
St Michaels Chapel & Masters House
St Michael's Chapel & Master's House
17th September 2025 – 11am-2pm
Heritage Open Day Event
St Michael’s Leper Hospital, Birmingham Road, Saltisford, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4TT
Join the St Michael’s Place team onsite and learn about the Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel in Saltisford past, present and future.
Learn what we currently know about the site and the buildings former usage, how the buildings were originally constructed and hear about our future plans to rescue and find a sustainable future for the buildings.
This event is free and all are welcome.
We are delighted to be taking part in the annual Heritage Open Days event to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. Do take a look at their website to find out about other events in the local area.
Willow Court Heritage Open Day
Willow Court Heritage Open Day
20th September 2025 – 1-4pm
Heritage Open Day Event
Join the team at Westland’s Community Centre to learn about Grade II listed Willow Court Farmhouse and it’s architecture.
See how the building was originally constructed and using virtual reality reconstructions, experience what the building looked like inside.
Meet some of the oral history team and hear about the memories they have collected of the farmhouse and the surrounding estate.
This event is free and all are welcome.
We are delighted to be taking part in the annual Heritage Open Days event to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. Do take a look at their website to find out about other events in the local area.
Willow Court Wednesdays – Clay Play
Willow Court Wednesdays
Letter Writing Workshop
3rd September 2025 – 10am-12pm
Come join us at Droitwich Spa & Rural Council For Voluntary Service for a fun-filled morning having fun with clay. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Get creative and enhance your letter writing skills, inspired by the theme of home.
The session will be taken by local artist Fliss O’Neill.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your creative side and meet fellow crafters. See you there! To book click here
Refreshments will be available.
This workshop is free. It is made possible because of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project at Willow Court Farmhouse, Droitwich Spa.
Latest News Post
Long headline to turn your visitors
Change the color to match your brand or vision, add your logo, choose the perfect layout, modify menu settings, add animations, add shape dividers, increase engagement with call to action and more.
Feature one
Change the color to match your brand or vision, add your logo, choose the perfect layout, modify menu settings and more.
Feature one
Change the color to match your brand or vision, add your logo, choose the perfect layout, modify menu settings and more.