Historic Buildings

REIMAGINING STRAWBERRY HILL

Strawberry Hill House’s vision is to become the global centre for the preservation and appreciation of the Gothic Imagination in art, architecture, literature, landscape and collecting. Following completion of an emergency resilience project, with visitor numbers and income showing an upward trajectory, the Director’s new strategic plan heralds a more focused phase. 15 years after a landmark restoration project, Trustees recognise the gradual deterioration of the historic building fabric and need for a more accessible visitor arrival and entry, improved circulation and interpretation, museum-standard lighting and optimisation of collections care. They wish to address the uneasy tension inherent in managing a fragile Grade I listed building and a growing, significant museum collection, with priorities shifting to enhanced cultural programming and a transformational digital offer. With the urgent repair of the Oriel window included, other proposals focus on piloting new partnerships, and resilience work around collections care, curatorial excellence, and governance.