Saltram awarded £4.5m to transform access

The National Trust has secured a £4.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a £6.2 million project that will transform access to nature and heritage at Saltram in Plymouth over the next four years.

This major investment will make Saltram — a historic 18th-century estate on the edge of the city — a national leader in inclusive access, particularly for children, young people and underserved communities.

Despite attracting nearly a million visits a year, many locals still face barriers to enjoying the estate. The new funding will address that with:

• A step-free route and new lift giving full access to the historic house

• The city’s first Changing Places facility in a green space

• Sensory-friendly exhibits, relaxed openings, and audience-led programming

• Six revitalised spaces shaped by 4,000 Plymouth residents

• Investment in play, wellbeing, and nature-based activities

The project will also fund training for staff and volunteers to embed inclusive practices, while a major youth focus will provide work experience, school projects, internships and apprenticeships for nearly 5,000 young people.

As part of conservation efforts, 20,000 trees will be planted, wildflower meadows created, and urgent work will stabilise the Grade II listed amphitheatre*, removing it from the Heritage at Risk Register.

“This treasured city greenspace is on the cusp of transformation,” said John Orna-Ornstein, National Trust Director of Access and Conservation. “It will become a pioneer for inclusive access that sets a new standard for the heritage sector.”

This project is part of the National Trust’s broader Future Saltram programme, a 10-year vision to enhance free public access, create new habitats, and restore historic views while ensuring Saltram grows with the city of Plymouth.