Charity Accounts Intelreading the accounts so you don’t have to

THE CHOLMONDELEY GARDENS TRUST

Registered charity 1134333 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

The preservation of the walled garden at Houghton Hall and gardens at Cholmondeley Castle. The advancement of education for the public benefit of the historic and horticultural importance of the gardens and such other charitable purposes beneficial to the community.

Causes: Environment/conservation/heritage · Get email alerts

Latest income
£305k
Latest spending
£654k
Registered
2010
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity incurred a deficit of £807,488 for the year, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted reserves to £1,864,927. The trustees note that the charity is dependent on the continued support of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO to meet its day-to-day working capital requirements.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: Ticket sales (67% of income)
“Ticket sales 204,615”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: 12 months (held: £1.9m)
“The Trust aims to maintain unrestricted reserves at a level sufficient to cover anticipated operating and maintenance costs for a minimum period of 12 months.” — page 9
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor
“The charity is dependent on the continued support of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO to meet its day to day working capital requirements and therefore to continue to trade as a going concern. As The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO has confirmed that he will continue to support the charity, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare statutory accounts on a going concern basis.” — page 18
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Houghton Estate, the trading vehicle of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO, recharged £247,283 to the charity for work carried out during the year. At the year end £66,997 was owed from Houghton Estate.
“At the year end £66,997 (2024: £36,734 owed to) is owed from Houghton Estate, the trading vehicle of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO. Houghton Estate recharged £247,283 (2024: £223,141) to the charity for work carried out during the year.” — page 23
“At the year end £99,232 (2024: £38,445) is owed to Cholmondeley Estate. The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO is a beneficiary of this trust. Cholmondeley Estate recharged £176,098 (2024: £154,241) to the charity for management and administration work during the year” — page 23
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Cholmondeley Estate recharged £176,098 to the charity for management and administration work. At the year end £99,232 was owed to Cholmondeley Estate.
“At the year end £66,997 (2024: £36,734 owed to) is owed from Houghton Estate, the trading vehicle of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO. Houghton Estate recharged £247,283 (2024: £223,141) to the charity for work carried out during the year.” — page 23
“At the year end £99,232 (2024: £38,445) is owed to Cholmondeley Estate. The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO is a beneficiary of this trust. Cholmondeley Estate recharged £176,098 (2024: £154,241) to the charity for management and administration work during the year” — page 23
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO made donations of £40,886 to the charity.
“At the year end £66,997 (2024: £36,734 owed to) is owed from Houghton Estate, the trading vehicle of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO. Houghton Estate recharged £247,283 (2024: £223,141) to the charity for work carried out during the year.” — page 23
“At the year end £99,232 (2024: £38,445) is owed to Cholmondeley Estate. The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO is a beneficiary of this trust. Cholmondeley Estate recharged £176,098 (2024: £154,241) to the charity for management and administration work during the year” — page 23
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Corporate structure

Company officers (Companies House)

Current officers of the charity’s own company per the Companies House register, cross-checked against the Charity Commission trustee list by name. A director not on the trustee list is usually a timing or naming difference between the two registers — check both records before drawing conclusions.

Official officers record.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2024)

Total income
£2.7m
Total spending
£626k
Cost of raising funds
£50k
Reserves (reported)
£2.7m
Employees
0

Reported reserves equal ~51.2 months of spending — in the top quarter for charities its size (median 7.0 months; benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Cheshire West & Chester · Norfolk

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£305k£654k
31/03/2024£2.7m£626k
31/03/2023£667k£620k
31/03/2022£697k£519k
31/03/2021£647k£387k

Common questions

Is THE CHOLMONDELEY GARDENS TRUST financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity incurred a deficit of £807,488 for the year, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted reserves to £1,864,927. The trustees note that the charity is dependent on the continued support of The Marquess of Cholmondeley GCVO to meet its day-to-day working capital requirements. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.