Our work at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre

Published:: 28 February 2023

Across the UK, traditional building techniques and rural crafts are in decline. The increasing skills shortage within the conservation sector means knowledge is being lost, putting our heritage structures at risk. At Coleshill, we want to help safeguard the traditional skills needed to support this. We share and develop heritage conservation skills via beginners’ courses, spaces for local groups, and rental units for professional craftspeople seeking a creative community environment.

What is the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre?

The Heritage and Rural Skills Centre aims to share and develop conservation skills, knowledge and expertise. We are also exploring the use of modern materials in heritage structures to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. We want to help people to protect and conserve their heritage assets and their natural surroundings.

The Heritage and Rural Skills programme

The Heritage and Rural Skills programme, based at Coleshill Home Farm, is a hub for education and knowledge-sharing. With more than 1,000 historic structures across 9,000 acres, including managed forestry and riverlands, we have a rich, diverse and beautiful training ground for historic building and rural skills development.

We work with academic partners, sponsors and those who would like to run courses, as well as engaging with local traditional building and craft specialists, architects, education facilities and National Trust staff.

We want to help anyone with an enthusiasm for our heritage to learn new skills – not just with a view to improving conservation but also to promote individual wellbeing by bringing people together to learn in a supportive setting and in green spaces.

When possible, we will also aim to take the Skills Programme out to those who can’t get to us. Proactive outreach activities and partnership working are integral to the programme.