Press Release: St Michael's Place Digital Interpretation
Heritage Restoration To Feature 21st Century Digital Interpretation
Heritage restoration work at an important historic site in Warwick is to feature 21st Century digital interpretation.
Over the past 800 years, St Michael’s Place Saltisford has evolved from a medieval leper hospital to alms houses and Chapel with a Master’s House, and even partial conversion at one time to a blacksmith’s workshop, before the entire site fell into disuse. The new interpretation will enable residents, students and those further afield to explore these layers of history in an engaging and accessible way.
Leamington Spa-based digital specialists, Fish in a Bottle, have been commissioned to produce the St Michael’s Place heritage interpretation. The studio has been operating for over twenty years and has built a body of work that ranges from BBC Bitesize educational games and the Science Museum's Wonderlab+ to science communication interactives in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Working closely with the local community, Fish in a Bottle will create an immersive digital experience to bring the rich history of St Michael’s Place to life.
“We're delighted to have been appointed to deliver the digital interpretation for St Michael's Place. The site has an extraordinary history, and we're excited to work alongside West Midlands Heritage, local schools and the wider community to help bring those stories to life for as many people as possible. Through the project, we'll be creating an experience that can be explored in schools, at home and at community events, enabling people to connect with the heritage of St Michael's Place in new and engaging ways.”
Laura Seymour Managing Director, Fish in a BottleSupporting Traditional Heritage Skills
The digital programme will also support learning among school-age children by highlighting traditional heritage skills such as carpentry, masonry and thatching. Raising awareness of these career pathways aligns with Historic England’s Historic Environment Skills and Careers Action Plan (HESCAPE), which aims to address critical skills shortages across the sector.
“We're particularly excited by the opportunity to showcase the traditional skills, crafts and careers that have shaped and preserved historic places for generations, inspiring young people to see heritage not just as something to learn about, but something they could one day be part of.”
Laura Seymour Managing Director, Fish in a BottleA Sustainable Future and Community Collaboration
This work is made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Heritage Fund is supporting West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, part of West Midlands Heritage, to deliver vital repairs and refurbishment to the Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel. Both are Grade II* listed buildings dating from the 15th century.
In partnership with Warwick District Council, the Trust will restore and convert these long-derelict buildings, unused for over 50 years, into much-needed affordable rent homes, securing a sustainable future for the site.
Community engagement is a core part of the project. Volunteers, local groups and schools will be invited to take part in workshops and events to help shape the digital interpretation, ensuring that local voices play a central role in telling Warwick’s story.
“We are thrilled to have reached this important delivery stage for St Michael’s Place after years of hard work and incredible support from the local community. Appointing Fish in a Bottle is a significant milestone, helping us bring the story of this unique and historically important site to life. This project would not be possible without funding from National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Warwick District Council, Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Warwick Town Council.”
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, 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 for Housing, Warwick District CouncilWant to find out more about this historic conservation project?
Explore the Project Page
St Michael's Place Heritage Open Day
Join members of the St Michael’s Place project team onsite and learn about the Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel in Saltisford past, present and future. The project has just been awarded a £2.8Million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, giving this important historic site a bright future. There will be no access inside the historic buildings due to their current condition, but it will be possible to view them externally and to learn what we currently know about the site and former usage, how the buildings were originally constructed and hear about our future plans to rescue and provide a sustainable future for the historically significant site.
An introduction to photographing historic buildings with a smartphone 8th June
Monday 8th June 2026, 1.00-3.30pm, Rotary House, Corbett Avenue, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire
Join James of JDA media as we explore Droitwich Spa and learn how to take great photos of some of the historic buildings in the town using just your smart phone.
The session will start at Rotary House, Corbett Avenue but after short introduction we shall be exploring Lido Park and Droitwich’s famous wonky High Street to practice our new techniques. Sensible waling shoes and clothes appropriate to the weather are a must. You will need to bring your own smartphone.
Digitising Documents: An Introduction 19th June
Join the Worcestershire Archive team to learn how they digitise documents and get some tips for digitising your own documents at home
This is an informal workshop with the opportunity to ask questions.
When: Friday 19th June 10am-12pm
Where: Explore the Past. The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester WR1 3PD
Cost: Free
Spaces: 10 spaces available.
Introduction to local history research 15th June 1-3.30pm
This workshop will introduce you to some of the tools and techniques that you can use when researching local history.
The workshop will include some activities to get you thinking and help you explore some of the highs and lows of research. This event is aimed at anyone curious about getting started on local history research.
Location: Sacred Heart Church Hall, Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 8AZ
There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
This workshop will be run by the team of Worcestershire Archives
This is a free event and is made possible because of the kind support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Willow Court Wednesday - Stitchworks 6 May 2026 10am-12pm
Willow Court Wednesday – Stitchworks
Come join us at Droitwich Spa & Rural Council For Voluntary Service for a fun-filled morning of crafting! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event is perfect for all skill levels. We are continuing a previous session and helping to develop a community stitched piece based on the theme of home.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your artistic side and meet fellow crafters. See you there!
Refreshments will be available.
Willow Court Wednesday - Stitchworks 1 April 2026 10am-12pm
Willow Court Wednesday – Stitchworks
Come join us at Droitwich Spa & Rural Council For Voluntary Service for a fun-filled morning of crafting! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, this event is perfect for all skill levels. We are continuing a previous session and helping to develop a community stitched piece based on the theme of home.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your artistic side and meet fellow crafters. See you there!
Refreshments will be available.
Non-Designated Heritage Assets Learning Day
Wednesday 29th April, 9:30am – 3:30pm
Join us and speakers from across the sector to explore non-designated heritage assets. From planning complexities to community re-use.
West Midlands Heritage look forward to welcoming people from across the sector to our 2026 Learning Day: Non-Designated Heritage Assets.
We have a great panel of expert speakers and topics to make for a fascinating and informative day, which we hope will both inspire and equip you to tackle the unique challenges of non designated heritage assets buildings, whether redundant and requiring a creative future, or in use but in need of rejuvenation.
Confirmed speakers Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England, Donald Insall Associates, Thread Architects, The Fox at Loxley and Wolverhampton Arts Centre.
Booking essential. Use the Eventbrite link to book
Agenda (please note this maybe subject to change)
9:30 – Arrival and Registration
10:15 – Opening remarks from West Midlands Heritage
10:30 – Caroline Kendall, Historic England: Researching local heritage lists and revising Historic England’s guidance
11:00 – Helen Ensor, Donald Insall Associate: Non-Designated Heritage Assets, The New Wild West
11:30 – Break
11:45 – Paul Jennings, The Fox at Loxley: Saving a village pub by turning it into a community owned pub.
12:15 – Rachel Haynes, Thread Architects: Conservation Principles in Practice
12:45 – Lunch & Networking
13:45 – Trevelyan Wright, Wolverhampton Arts Centre: Behind the Scenes
14:15 – Mandy Hall, Architectual Heritage Fund: A Funder’s Perspective
14:45 – Closing remarks from WMHT
