Restoring Historic Barts
Image: Matthew Andrews
Early ledgers from the Barts archives.
Image: Matthew Andrews
Restoring Historic Barts
900 years of history and healthcare
St Bartholomew’s Hospital is the oldest hospital in Britain still operating on its original site. It is renowned for excellence and innovation and continues to evolve to meet the demands of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.
Working closely with Barts Health NHS Trust and other strategic partners, we have planned a comprehensive restoration programme over several phases which will open up the buildings for year-round public use.
We are pioneering a new model of heritage-based support for wellbeing, in a programme that also includes skills development, and educational and cultural activities.
Our vision is to create places of inspiration, reflection and discovery: for patients and their families, for the Hospital’s working communities and those around it, and for visitors and local audiences.
Flaking paint is an indicator of significant water damage in the Great Hall
Image: Paine & Stewart
Sharing Historic Barts
A new model for heritage and health at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
After over 50 years without significant repair, the Grade I listed North Wing and Henry VIII Gatehouse have suffered serious damage. We need to act fast to carry out urgent repair and conservation work to safeguard the building and its important interiors.
Our priority is to secure the envelope of both buildings and the two celebrated interiors in the North Wing – the Great Hall and Hogarth Stair. This work will cost around £9m.
A second phase of works will address the reservicing and renovation of the many other spaces and the establishment of a new Museum. This is costed at least £12m.
We are currently working with the Hospital to provide urgently needed facilities for the staff within our project – including spaces where we can host programmes addressing wellbeing and psychological recovery.
Image: Matthew Andrews
We are also developing a year-round public programme to offer a new resource for education and the promotion of health and wellbeing for London and beyond.
Programmes for health and wellbeing will provide much needed respite for staff
Image: Matthew Andrews
Our progress so far
With our specialist design team, we have advanced detailed plans for the conservation of the historic buildings including a business plan to ensure long term sustainable uses. With early support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other donors, we are now developing programmes of activity for a range of audiences.
Our project will restore nationally important heritage, enabling us to open the North Wing for year-round public use. With the buildings and interiors repaired and conserved, we can introduce an ongoing year-round public programme of educational and cultural activities, enriched further by heritage-based wellbeing programmes, skills development and volunteering.
With early support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other donors, we have secured 70% of our project target in gifts and confirmed pledges. Please help us secure the remainder we need in 2022 and help bring this special place to life. You can opt to give towards distinct elements of the project or to support our whole programme.
Get involved
Find out how you can support us.
- Send us an email to explore opportunities for project support and long-term sponsorship
- Join the Patrons Circle and enjoy a curator-led private tour of the historic North Wing each year, private access to the Barts Heritage buildings and invitations to special talks and events
- Join the Friends of Barts Heritage and become an ambassador for the restoration project
- Make a donation – All donations to Barts Heritage will help restore our heritage buildings and collections for the benefit of staff and visitors
Make a donation
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