The Chamberlain Highbury Trust is marking its 10th anniversary on 30 April 2026, celebrating a decade of work to protect, restore, and reimagine Highbury Hall and its grounds, the former home of the Chamberlain family, a site of significant historic and civic importance.
Established in 2016, the independent charity was created to secure the long-term future of the historic estate as a place of public benefit. Its mission has focused on conserving the site while opening it up for community use, education, and cultural activity.
Over the past ten years, the Trust has made major progress. Early work centred on protecting the Hall, developing restoration plans, and reintroducing the site to the public through open days, events, and educational programmes. In 2020, key conservation works and the first phase of the Highbury Gardens project made essential structural repairs, improved access, and laid the foundations for long-term restoration.
More recently, the Trust secured significant support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, including a £2 million grant to restore 33 acres of historic gardens. Major restoration work is due to begin on site in June 2026. The project combines heritage conservation with ecological improvements, volunteering, and skills development, helping reconnect local communities with the estate.
Community engagement and inclusion have been central throughout, with the Trust creating opportunities for learning, participation, and youth leadership, while making Highbury an accessible and welcoming space for all.
As the Trust looks to the future, it is encouraging more people to get involved – whether by volunteering, supporting events, or making donations to help fund the ongoing care and maintenance of the gardens following their restoration. The long-term vision is to establish Highbury as a thriving, year-round heritage and community hub.
As it enters its second decade, the Trust’s anniversary marks both a milestone in preserving an important historic site and a renewed commitment to its future as a place where people, heritage, and nature come together.