Protecting all heritage sites from extreme weather and climate change just may not be possible,
according to a National Trust manager who warned that historic properties face tangible risks from rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, and increased wildfire threats across the landscape.
Extreme weather is already altering gardens, moorland, and historic structures. Justin Scully, manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, stated that escalating climate pressures mean preservation efforts must shift to face a changing environment.
Climate Pressures Facing Fountains Abbey and Regional Properties
Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, allowing water to penetrate walls and cause dampness and erosion. At the same time, repeated cycles of wetting, drying, freezing and thawing weaken stonework, while flooding undermines structural foundations.
Hotter and drier conditions bring an entirely different set of hazards. The National Trust cares for properties including Beningbrough Hall, Nunnington Hall, and Treasurer’s House in York, alongside miles of coastline running from Loftus to Filey. Coastal sites face erosion and rising sea levels, while inland estates confront heightened risks of ground subsidence and wildfires.
The water cascade into Studley Lake ran dry during hot weather in 2025, providing a clear sign of how quickly seasonal extremes alter historic grounds. Scully noted that these environmental shifts are no longer distant warnings.
“These last two summers have really brought this home to ourselves and to our visitors. Climate change isn’t a thing that’s happening out there to other people, it’s actually impacting ourselves and the places we love. The threat is tangible.”
Justin Scully, manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Adapting Historic Gardens and Landscapes for the Next 40 Years
The National Trust is looking ahead over a 40-year horizon to anticipate extreme weather outcomes. Scully explained that conservation teams must determine the worst possible outcome and work backward from it to protect what they can.
At Fountains Abbey, preparations could involve increasing drainage capacity and gutters to handle heavier rainfall. Yet these protective measures extend beyond invisible infrastructure changes and will visibly alter historic estate grounds.
Gardens may need to become less manicured to survive drier summers and erratic rainfall. A National Trust spokesperson emphasized that conservation work has to evolve alongside environmental shifts, weighing the significance of a place, its public benefit, and whether an approach remains sustainable over the long term.
Funding Demands and the Call for a National Cabinet Minister
Protecting heritage assets against worsening weather comes with a steep price tag. While the Trust continues to invest significantly in conservation work, adaptation processes can prove “very expensive”, and the organization operates as a charity that receives no guaranteed government money outside of project grants from public bodies and lottery funds.
To meet these growing demands, the National Trust called for climate resilience to become a national priority. The organization urged the appointment of a Cabinet-level minister to coordinate preparedness across government and support long-term investment.
Despite the difficult choices ahead, Scully encouraged communities to focus on manageable steps, noting that everyday actions like reducing carbon footprints will make a big difference over the longer term.
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