Chamberlain Highbury Trust

Who we are

Chamberlain Highbury Trust represents one of Birmingham’s hidden heritage assets; Grade II* listed Highbury Hall and its surrounding estate was once home to radical MP, Joseph Chamberlain, described by Sir Winston Churchill as “the one who made the political weather”. Our trust was formed to give Highbury a future that will benefit the citizens of Birmingham, as intended by the Chamberlain family when gifted to Birmingham City Council almost a century ago.

With support from National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have developed plans and achieved planning permission for a restoration of the gardens and mansion to a condition which would remove them from the “At Risk” register. Through this many more visitors will have access to this important heritage site, and CHT will continue to develop our youth leadership education ambition and provision of start-up business spaces for local entrepreneurs.

In 2022, we extended accessibility around the gardens with the benefit of grants from Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and we are now working towards a second phase of repairing the historic gardens.

We are also working to raise funds and prepare for the larger restoration project of the mansion. Public benefit and community engagement are at the heart of our vision for the whole estate.