His Majesty the King visits North Wing

The Sharing Historic Barts project will restore the fabric of the Grade I-listed North Wing and introduce a pioneering programme of heritage-inspired wellbeing activities designed in collaboration with teams across the Hospital. Once restored and opened up to year-round public access, this nationally important building will offer places of healing, contemplation and inspiration for the staff and patients of the Hospital as well as offering opportunities for learning and participation for a wide range of public audiences and future visitors.

During the visit, the King met some of the specialists and craftspeople who will undertake the sensitive restoration of the Grade I-listed North Wing and its spectacular interiors including the Great Hall and Hogarth Stair. He also met frontline staff from the Hospital, and heard about other important projects that are part of the 900th anniversary campaign. These include a new centre of excellence for breast cancer surgery at St Bartholomew’s and a Clinical Research Facility at The Royal London Hospital, both being supported through Barts Charity.

Barts Heritage chief executive Will Palin said: “The visit of His Majesty the King is a wonderful moment for Barts Heritage and for this landmark restoration project. We are delighted to be completing our £9m fundraising appeal and that we can now begin making plans for works to start next year. We are honoured to host him, to introduce him to some of our key donors and to some of the expert team of conservation specialists who have been working with us to better understand the condition and history of the North Wing and its glorious interiors.”

St Bartholomew’s Hospital chief executive Professor Charles Knight OBE said: “The North Wing has been at the heart of our hospital for hundreds of years – most recently as a wellbeing hub for our busy NHS teams. Sharing Historic Barts will secure the future of this beautiful building into the next century and beyond so that future generations can continue to be inspired by the magnificent ambition, art and architecture that is St Bartholomew’s heritage.”

Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to hear of the fundraising success of Barts Heritage for their Sharing Historic Barts project. It’s fantastic to see this achievement recognised with a visit from His Majesty the King. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have given initial support to the project and look forward to working with the team ahead of their full grant application.

Chair of Barts Health NHS Trust Rt Hon Jacqui Smith said: “We’re delighted to host His Majesty at St Bartholomew’s and very grateful for all his support for Sharing Historic Barts. 2023 promises to be a very special year for everyone at Barts Health and this is the perfect way to kick-start our celebrations.”