BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED
The Charity is established for the advancement of historic and aesthetic education which shall include the preservation of buildings of national importance, and in particular the preservation and showing of Burghley House, Stamford. The Governing Body is permitted to carry out its activities with a view to conserving the environment of land and buildings owned by the Charity.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £60,824,739 for the year ended January 2026, driven largely by a significant revaluation gain on investment properties. Total reserves stood at £156,757,525, with the governors maintaining a policy to ensure a stable base for continuing activities while investing surplus funds into heritage assets or endowments. The auditors confirmed the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose emoluments, as defined for taxation purposes, amounted to over £60,000 in the year was 10 (2025 - 10), and total remuneration for key personnel was £932,950” — page 62
“The number of employees whose emoluments, as defined for taxation purposes, amounted to over £60,000 in the year was 10” — page 62
“The Governors’ policy is to maintain a level of reserves which will provide a stable base for the Charity’s continuing activities and enable the Charity to adjust to any significant change in financial resources through unplanned events, whilst ensuring that excessive funds are not accumulated.” — page 25
“Relative to the Deed of Apportionment agreed with the Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust, they were charged £19,450 (2025: £19,450) for management services.”
“Rental income amounting to £13,500 (2025: £13,500) was received from The Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust during the year.” — page 66
“Relative to the Deed of Apportionment agreed with the Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust, they were charged £19,450 (2025: £19,450) for management services.”
“Rental income amounting to £13,500 (2025: £13,500) was received from The Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust during the year.” — page 66
“Relative to the Deed of Apportionment agreed with the Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust, they were charged £19,450 (2025: £19,450) for management services.”
“Rental income amounting to £13,500 (2025: £13,500) was received from The Trustees of the 6th Marquess of Exeter Will Trust during the year.” — page 66
“Burghley House Preservation Trust is governed by its charitable objectives, and its trading subsidiaries support the Charity to achieve its aims.”
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from Over £60,000 (FY2025) to over £60,000 (FY2026).
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/01/2026)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (19/08/2025)
Trustees
- Cressida Mary Hogg
- EDWARD GEORGE CLIVE
- EDWARD LEIGH-PEMBERTON
- Edward Mortimer Harley OBE
- JONATHON CHENEVIX-TRENCH
- Michael Reginald Parsons
- STUART RICHMOND-WATSON
- WILLIAM A OSWALD
- WILLIAM PARENTE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2026 | £17.7m | £16.5m |
| 31/01/2025 | £16.0m | £15.6m |
| 31/01/2024 | £15.2m | £14.5m |
| 31/01/2023 | £13.7m | £13.3m |
| 31/01/2022 | £9.1m | £8.3m |
Common questions
Is BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £60,824,739 for the year ended January 2026, driven largely by a significant revaluation gain on investment properties. Total reserves stood at £156,757,525, with the governors maintaining a policy to ensure a stable base for continuing activities while investing surplus funds into heritage assets or endowments. The auditors confirmed the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2026 accounts were audited by Saffery LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED earn?
Per its FY2026 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the over £60,000 band, and 10 employees earned over £60,000.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 30/01/2002 | £1.0m | "Burghley Brewhouse Project" |
Funders of similar charities
Charities like this
- ARUNDEL CASTLE TRUSTEES LIMITED
- YORK CIVIC TRUST
- THE BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST
- Country Houses Foundation
- WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN TRUST
- THE EXBURY GARDENS TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED | £17.7m | over £60,000 | 10 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ARUNDEL CASTLE TRUSTEES LIMITED | £5.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| YORK CIVIC TRUST | £500k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST | £304k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| Country Houses Foundation | £850k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WINTERBOURNE MEDIEVAL BARN TRUST | £124k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |