The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to have awarded a Project Development Grant to Hay Castle Trust to further develop plans to restore the coach house and outbuildings at Hay Castle. This was one of 13 awards made at the latest grants meeting, where projects across England, Scotland and Wales were awarded funding totalling £180,745.
Located at the heart of the conservation area in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, the Grade II-listed coach house and mews outbuildings at Hay Castle date back to the 17th century, with 19th-century alterations. The mews buildings adjoin the Grade I-listed Jacobean castle, contributing to the setting and character of the Scheduled Monument and its Grade II-listed grounds.
Following a £7.5m restoration project, Hay Castle Trust re-opened Hay Castle and grounds in May 2022. However, due to rising costs, the coach house and mews outbuildings were not included in the regeneration, and they remain vacant and unused.
Images: The exterior of the Coach House (left) and Mews Outbuildings (right) at Hay Castle.
Today, having operated the restored site for almost two years, the Trust has identified the need to bring the coach house and mews buildings back into productive use. The plans include converting the coach house into attractive, Landmark Trust-style holiday accommodation and transforming the mews outbuildings into affordable retail/craft maker spaces for local start-ups. This will address the need to increase the availability of high-quality accommodation and retail spaces in Hay. Not only will this proposal attract visitors to Hay throughout the year and benefit existing local businesses, but it will also generate additional income for the Trust and help to aid its sustainability.
The AHF grant, made possible by support from Cadw, will enable the Trust to commission a multi-disciplinary design team to progress plans to the next stage.
Tom True, Executive Director at Hay Castle Trust, said:
"Architectural Heritage Fund have been part of the story of the regeneration of Hay Castle from the outset, supporting Hay Castle Trust in planning how to renovate this unique heritage site and to transform it into an inspiring new beacon for the arts. We are extremely grateful for this funding, which will be another transformative step on our path to long-term sustainability".
