Forging partnerships with academic, heritage and commercial teams and projects throughout the City of York and wider. All with the aim of supporting our conservation work, our tenants and all the many visitors to York.
University of York
The University’s Department of Archaeology is one of the leading archaeological and heritage research and teaching institutions in the UK. Our Conservation Architect, Guy Bowyer manages the Trust’s relationship with the Department. Guy gives an annual lecture to postgraduate students on the MA Historic Buildings Course and awards the Trust’s annual dissertation prize. Wherever possible, students are regularly involved in the Trust’s work, including surveys. Most recently, the University and Trust have co-funded the appointment of a professional conservation surveyor to lead a team of students on a rapid condition survey across the Trust’s portfolio of smaller historic properties.
Are you interested in training in the systematic research, recording, analysis and interpretation of historic buildings?
Learn more about the University of York and the Historic Buildings MA.
York Civic Trust
York Conservation Trust’s sister organisation. Our Founder, Dr John Bowes Morrell, was also instrumental in establishing York Civic Trust in 1946, one year after he and his brother Cuthbert established Ings Property Company, the forerunner to York Conservation Trust. The Civic Trust is a membership organisation open to anyone who wishes to help enhance and protect York’s architectural and cultural heritage; to champion good design and advance the high profi le that York holds among cities of the world.
Today, York Civic Trust’s home is in Fairfax House, one of our most important Georgian buildings, where it runs an outstanding museum of Georgian life. The Civic Trust is responsible for the interiors of this historic building, while we are responsible for the structure and exteriors. We work closely together on projects to improve its public facilities and ensure that the building is safeguarded for the long term.
Discover more about York Civic Trust.
York Citizen’s Theatre Trust
Operating York Theatre Royal - one of region’s most successful producing theatres. With an international reputation for the outstanding quality of its own productions and longstanding partnerships with many other creative organisations, York Theatre Royal is operated by York Citizen’s Theatre Trust. The theatre has a very active Youth Theatre, strong links throughout the community and welcomes many of the UK’s leading touring companies to York, including Ballet Black and English Touring Opera.
We work very closely with the Theatre Trust to ensure that the facilities offered by this important complex of historic buildings match the quality of the productions. Our current joint project Layer Nine;Opening Doors aims to upgrade the structure of the Georgian building Tate Wilkinson House and improve accessibility and related facilities for visitors, staff and performers.
Discover more about York Theatre Royal.
York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship
Representing a wide variety of conservation interests.
This charitable membership organisation represents a wide variety of conservation interests and provides training bursaries for practicing conservators. Through the Consortium we support some training bursaries around traditional buildings’ craft skills. Our Trustee Ruth Morrell is a member of the bursary awards panel. Our CEO and Secretary, Jonathan Bryant, is also a Trustee of Consortium.
Discover more about York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship.
Wheelwrights York
Our chosen guest apartment agents
We are delighted to welcome visitors to our buildings. So much so that you can, not just explore them, but also stay overnight. We have lovingly furnished a small number and offer them as holiday lets via our agents Wheelwrights, who are also on hand to offer advice and help throughout your stay.
If you would like to stay in one of our historic Trust properties, we'll be delighted to welcome you.
Trade and specialist contractors
Supporting local craftsmanship and trades people
We do not have a permanent team of works; we prefer to have a small staff team and contract in tradespeople and specialists whenever we undertake work on or in one of our buildings. Whether that be routine task, such as roof inspections and clearing drains, or a major conservation overhaul. Our buildings require periodical overhauls to ensure they are viable for occupation.
As far as possible, we use tradespeople, artisans and companies based in York or Yorkshire. Selecting those best able to offer a high standard of work in a conservation setting and value for the money we invest. In this way we can remain flexible and reactive to what our buildings need and budget’s dictate.
If you are based in York and/or Yorkshire and are interested in working with us in a specialist or general capacity, please get in touch!