Holidays In Historic Buildings

The Landmark Trust has succeeded in linking tourism with British heritage in a winning combination.

- Becky Dickinson

A FORMER PIGSTY may not be the obvious choice for a romantic get-away or relaxing holiday, yet for those who stay in it, that's exactly what it provides. Admittedly, this Victorian porcine residence near Whitby, North Yorkshire is no ordinary pigsty, (pictured below) with its neo-classical frontage and lingering sea views. But then there's nothing ordinary about any of the buildings owned by the Landmark Trust.

The architectural charity boasts a portfolio of nearly 200 charming, unique and remarkable holiday properties, all of which have been saved from dereliction. There are castles and towers, ruins and follies, lighthouses and stately homes. From unassuming cottages to eccentric works of genius such as The Pineapple (pictured next page)- an elaborate summerhouse in Dunmore, Scotland constructed in the form of its prickly namesake - all have their own story to tell.

The Trust was founded in 1965, by the banker and politician John Smith and his wife Christian. At that time the trend was to cull, rather than preserve historic buildings; the Euston Arch was brought down in 1961 and two years later a report called for the closure of a third of Britain's 7,000 railway stations. The Smiths, who were already active in the world of conservation, came up with a pioneering plan to save heritage buildings from extinction - especially those too small or remote to capture the attention of the National Trust.

The aim was simple: to acquire and preserve special historic places and to let them out as holiday homes for income. Fifty years on, the ethos remains unchanged. Landmark saves imperilled buildings that would otherwise disappear, giving them a future by making them available as inspiring places to stay, while the income generated ensures they will never fall into decay again.