Trust warns of 'tangible' climate threat to heritage sites

According to the National Trust's Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal manager Justin Scully, protecting heritage sites from climate change impacts may be impossible. Extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and wildfire risks are already affecting gardens, moorland, and structures. Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage systems, penetrate walls, and cause damp and erosion. Repeated wet-dry cycles can harm stonework, while flooding can undermine foundations. Warmer, drier conditions increase the risk of subsidence and wildfires.

Scully noted that the past two summers have highlighted these threats to the trust and its visitors. He stated that climate change is a tangible issue impacting beloved places. The National Trust is planning for more extreme weather over the next 40 years, considering worst-case scenarios and adapting accordingly. At Fountains Abbey, this may involve improving drainage and altering the garden's appearance. The trust is also more open to adapting the look of properties, as perfection may no longer be feasible.

The trust manages properties across Yorkshire and coastal areas facing significant climate pressures, such as erosion and rising sea levels. A National Trust spokesperson emphasized that climate change affects many of the places they care for, and their conservation work must evolve. Conservation decisions will consider a site's significance, community benefit, and long-term sustainability.

While some adaptation processes could be costly, the trust continues investing in conservation. They urge climate resilience to become a national priority, led by a Cabinet-level minister coordinating government efforts and supporting long-term investment.