News / Ashton Court Mansion
Trust takes on Ashton Court Mansion
A new custodian has taken charge of Ashton Court Mansion with a view to bringing the building into community ownership.
Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) hopes to restore and regenerate the historic house which has been largely derelict for decades.
The trust has now taken occupation of the building and plans to start an ambitious programme of repairs to bring it back from the brink of ruin.
It is also taking bookings for events to fund repair work, including weddings, parties, exhibitions and film shoots.
Ashton Court Mansion dates back to the 1300s and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for over a decade.
The grade one-listed building has faced an uncertain future, with three quarters of its interior unusable and stuttering plans to regenerate it.
Bristol City Council, which owns the site, as well as commercial developers and the King’s Foundation have all failed to secure a clear path for it.
But now, BHBT has been handed the keys.
Its goal, under a forthcoming 125-year community lease, is to restore the entire building so it can be opened to the public in its entirety.
Three quarters of Ashton Court Mansion are derelict
The phased regeneration is expected to last multiple decades and cost tens of millions of pounds, funded in large part by events and bookings.
Michele Midwinter, head of events at Ashton Court Mansion, said: “Ashton Court is an extraordinary building in an extraordinary setting. It deserves to feel alive again – full of people, creativity and celebration.
“Every event we host here is a statement of intent: this building has a future, and Bristol is going to shape it.”
BHBT is currently transitioning to become a Charitable Community Benefit Society, which means Bristol residents will soon be able to buy shares in the mansion and it will be moved into community ownership.
Councillor Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, said: “This is an important step forward for Ashton Court Mansion after many years of uncertainty.
“This work creates the opportunity for one of our city’s most iconic landmarks to yet again play an important role in our city’s life whilst also promoting our city beyond our region.”
All photos: Rob Browne
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