Conservation Skills Centre at The Buscot and Coleshill Estates

Across the UK traditional building skills and rural crafts are in decline. The increasing skills shortage within the conservation sector means that knowledge is being lost, putting our heritage structures at risk. Our Conservation Skills Programme based at the Home Farm in Coleshill is a hub for education and knowledge-sharing.

Homel Farm buildings at Coleshill, Oxfordshire — The height of innovation: buildings at Coleshill's Victorian Home Farm

What is the Conservation Skills Centre?

Our aim is to retain and develop conservation skills knowledge and expertise for the future. Through knowledge sharing we want to help others to protect and conserve their heritage assets and the natural environment around them.

Conservation projects

Stone busts

One of our current pieces of conservation work at Coleshill is commissioning replacement busts for two that were stolen over 20 years ago.

The British Heritage Project

Tom is currently taking photos across the Coleshill estate including capturing conservation work in action. From a local stonemason and wood carver to our own National Trust buildings and countryside team.

What else is new?

The Old Carpenters Yard

The Old Carpenters Yard in Coleshill village was reopened to visitors in May 2019. The building project brings a new welcome hub, café, second-hand bookshop and multi-use events space for visitors to Coleshill village and parkland.

Home Farm development

Since the start of 2019 we have been working on various spaces around the home farm to improve facilities for visitors.

Discover more about our work

Conservation community crafts units

From the Autumn we will have a number of basic units to let at the Home Farm in Coleshill in a range of sizes.

2020 Leap for Nature – Tree Planting at Coleshill

Join us for tree planting in the outer Coleshill Parkland as part of our restoration in winter 2020.