Major changes coming to Saltram as £4.5m transformation begins

A major four-year investment is set to make Saltram a flagship destination for inclusive access to nature and heritage in Plymouth, after the National Trust secured a £4.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The funding is part of a wider £6.2 million project aimed at improving physical access, enhancing community engagement, and creating new opportunities for children and young people across the city.

Saltram, an 18th-century estate and mansion on the edge of Plymouth, already attracts nearly a million visits each year. 

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But many local people still face barriers to enjoying the site fully, something the National Trust hopes to change.

A key part of the project will be transforming how visitors move around the estate, with a new step-free route from the stables through the historic house and a lift installed to access the upper floor. 

The site will also be home to Plymouth’s first Changing Places facility in a green space, improving accessibility for disabled visitors.

Six of Saltram’s spaces will be redesigned and reinterpreted, shaped by the input of 4,000 local people. 

Previously untold stories will be highlighted, while sensory-friendly exhibits and relaxed openings aim to welcome a broader range of visitors.

As part of the long-term Future Saltram programme, the work will also support biodiversity and conservation. 

Plans include planting 20,000 trees, introducing wildflower meadows, and restoring the Grade II* listed parkland. 

The estate’s amphitheatre will undergo vital conservation work to help remove it from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

Children and young people are at the heart of the plans. 

Around 5,000 young people are expected to benefit through new opportunities including school sessions, work placements, internships and apprenticeships, all designed to support skills development and future employment.

Staff and volunteers will receive specialist training to help embed inclusive practices across everything the site offers.

The project builds on an established partnership between the National Trust and Plymouth City Council. Both organisations say the work will help connect more communities with nature, boost health and wellbeing, and support economic growth in the city.

John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Access and Conservation at the National Trust, said: “This project is about increasing access to nature and heritage in Plymouth for everyone. This treasured city greenspace is on the cusp of transformation, becoming a pioneer for inclusive access that will set a new standard for the National Trust and the wider heritage sector.”

Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re proud to support this ambitious project that will transform Saltram into a truly inclusive and inspiring space for the people of Plymouth. Thanks to National Lottery players, more people will be able to access and connect with nature and celebrate the heritage on their doorstep. Saltram has the potential to become a beacon for how heritage and nature can support wellbeing, learning and community connection – and we’re excited to see that vision come to life.”

Jez McDermott, General Manager for the National Trust at Saltram, added: “As the city continues to grow, the need for access to nature and heritage to support wellbeing is greater than ever. This investment will allow Saltram to evolve with Plymouth and we’re proud to be working with partners across the city to support communities now and in the future.”

Natalie Haly, Project Manager for the National Trust at Saltram, said: “From accessible trails and sensory-friendly programming to supporting youth development, this project will make Saltram a place where everyone feels welcome, represented and inspired – whether they’re here to explore nature, learn new skills, or connect with the past in a way that suits them.”

The National Trust is contributing to the project’s overall £6.2 million cost as part of its 10-year Future Saltram plan, which will also expand free-to-access parkland, improve visitor facilities and open up more spaces for wildlife and community use.