The Carthusian Priory of St Anne is a unique Grade I listed building and Scheduled National Monument surrounded by walled grounds and open parkland in the centre of Coventry. The development by Historic Coventry and The Coventry Charterhouse Trust aims to reinvigorate this dramatically altered historic gem.
The project brief reflected the complexity of the site and its history, to create living archaeological, a heritage attraction, historic gardens, cafe, conference venue and community space all of which sit as a visitor’s centrepiece of the larger heritage park.
The scheme aims to evoke the buildings rich history opening up the pages of its story to show the building through its many forms.
The original wall paintings were sensitively restored by leading experts in the field plus further wall painted decoration features and historic inscriptions were discovered during the works.
Previously, emergency work involving the rebuilding of a dividing wall, was carried out and the Trust can now see something for all their hard work. The Pilgrim Trust described the work as ‘marvellous’ (Georgina Nayler – Director).
“Charterhouse is a hidden gem. Rarely have we come across a building of this age that has been forgotten. The medieval wall paintings dating from the 1400s are almost unique in this country. This is a building of international significance.”
– Ian Lush, Chief Executive of Architectural Heritage Fund