In the week of 11th November 2024, the Czech National Trust (CNT) and the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) organised a study trip to England for a group of representatives from Czech monuments which are members of the Association of Non-State Open Monuments (ANOPA*).

The programme included a visit and workshops at two important historic monuments, Osterly House and Park and Cliveden, meetings with owners and operators, a panel discussion and a reception at the Czech Embassy in London. Participants took away valuable insights into managing, funding the operation and promotion of heritage sites, building a membership and volunteer base and engaging heritage sites in the life of the local community.

The first stop was the Georgian country estate of Osterley Park and House in west London. The property, with its extensive parkland, is owned and managed by the British National Trust. The Czech group was welcomed by the director, Christopher Cleeve. The main topic of the discussion was volunteering and the involvement of the local community in the restoration and development of the historic site.

On the second day, the group attended the Annual General Meeting of the Historic Houses Association, which represents over a thousand independently owned castles, stately homes, parks and other heritage sites in the UK. The group was hosted by the organisation’s Chief Executive, Ben Cowell OBE, over lunch. The AGM included expert lectures and presentations by companies offering heritage services, including practical demonstrations.

In the evening, the programme continued at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in London with a panel discussion entitled “Heritage! Stories of revival and resilience”. The panel discussion was chaired by Catherine Leonard, INTO Secretary General, and the panelists were:

• CNT Chair Irena Edwards
• ANOPA Executive Board member Francesco Kinsky dal Borgo, owner of Kost and Karlova Koruna, and
• Hopwood DePree, who is involved in the restoration of the family mansion Hopwood Hall.

Francesco Kinsky dal Borgo outlined successful restorations of lheritage sites owned by ANOPA members. These included Kost Castle, Karlova Koruna and Loučeň castles, and the steam-powered brewery in Lobeč, for the preservation of which the owners were awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra prize.

Irena Edwards described the restoration and reconstruction of the CNT pilot project: the tomb and chapel of the famous writer, philosopher and philanthropist Maria von Ebner-Eschenbach.

The discussion was followed by a reception attended by the Czech Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Marie Chatardová.

The penultimate day of the stay was marked by a visit to Cliveden, the magnificent former residence of the Astor family with a beautiful multi-acre park and its related services from sales to gastronomy to incredible accommodation right in the stately home. The whole complex is owned by the National Trust, however the park, restaurant, shop and car park are run by the National Trust, while the mansion is leased to an hotel company and run as a luxury 6* hotel.

The group was welcomed by the director of the site, Robert Miles, who gave the participants an introduction to the entire site and, in particular, to its operation and methods of securing income and cooperation between the National Trust and their tenant, the hotel group that operates the mansion as an hotel.
After refreshments in the Cliveden cafe, a walk through the park with the Head gardener followed. It was a pleasant surprise to meet a group of volunteers who were currently renovating one part of the extensive park. Cliveden has over 300 volunteers. The visit concluded with a tour of the mansion which is now a luxury hotel.

The last day of the stay was used by the participants for individual visits to London monuments and museums.

All participants greatly appreciated the perfect preparation and the great programme, which was very inspiring and informative. A special thanks goes to Irena Edwards and her team from the Czech National Trust, who prepared the programme and personally accompanied the participants throughout. The participants expressed the hope that this was not an isolated event and that other ANOPA members will get a similar opportunity in the near future. Similar events would be a great benefit and inspiration for the owners and managers of heritage buildings in the Czech Republic.

Participants*
Francesco Kinský dal Borgo – Karlova Koruna and Kost
Andrea Berndtová – Turnov monuments
Jana Těžká – Loket
Lada Vimmerová – Loket
Hana Zvalová – Červený
Vladimír Müller – Červený
Patricie Krobová – Chvalský castle
Vratislav Zákoutský – Loučen
Viera Hladišová, director CNT
Patrik Hoffman, board member CNT

Programme co-ordinators:
Irena Edwards, Czech National Trust (CNT)
Eva Bonfield, Czech National Trust Abroad (CNTA) London
Zuzana Princova, CNTA, London

Dr Irena Edwards, chairman, founder CNT
“One of the main objectives of the Czech National Trust is to provide world-class know-how on all aspects of the management and financing of monuments and to make them accessible to the widest possible audience: owners and managers of monuments and cultural heritage in the Czech Republic. Our membership of INTO and close cooperation with the most successful national trusts in the world make this possible.”

Francesco Kinsky dal Borgo, member of ANOPA management, owner of Kost and Karlova Koruna
“For me and other ANOPA members, this study trip was a great opportunity to see and experience a different model of monument operation. The discussions we had were insightful and inspiring, special thanks to the CNT/INTO team for the perfect organisation!”

The Czech National Trust (CNT) is a non-profit organisation with a ten-year history and a member of the International National Trusts Organization (INTO). The long-term goal of the CNT is to save the cultural and natural heritage in the Czech Republic for future generations, care for buildings owned or entrusted to them, restore and manage them by involving the owners, volunteers and other non-profit organizations and communities as one functional unit.
www.czechnationaltrust.org
facebook.com/czechnationaltrust

Association of Non-State Open Monuments (ANOPA) was established in 2021, uniting the owners of historical monuments; castles, chateaux, monasteries, pilgrimage sites, technical monuments, gardens and other cultural monuments which are open to the public but not owned by the state. They are an integral part of the national cultural heritage. ANOPA aims are to represent the common interests of the owners, to ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of these monuments, to ensure their accessibility to the public and to give marketing support.
www.asociacepamatek.cz

Internartional National Trusts Organisation (INTO) is an international umbrella organisation of national trusts which promotes a common approach to the conservation of global heritage – built and natural, tangible and intangible.
www.into.org

Contact for media:

Patrik Hoffman, board member Czech National Trust
patrik@atelierhoffman.eu
Mobile: +420 608 860 848
www.czechnationaltrust.org
www.facebook.com/czechnationaltrust

Dr. Irena Edwards, chairman and founder Czech National Trust
irena.edwards@gmail.com
Mobile GB: +44 7500 3373 29

Francesco Kinský dal Borgo, member of ANOPA management, owner Kost and Karlova Koruna
francesco@kinsky-dal-borgo.cz
Mobile: +420 722 764 703
www.asociacepamatek.cz

Vratislav Zákoutský, member of ANOPA management, manager Loučen
vratislav.zakoutsky@zamekloucen.cz
Mobile: +420 602 397 589