When maintaining its own properties the Trust ensures that repairs are undertaken in the traditional manner by a small team of skilled local craftsmen, with any additions or alterations being reversible and secondary to the main building.

This policy of protecting historic character, integrity and significance has not prevented the Trust from sensitively adapting its buildings to meet modern requirements. On many of our projects we have enhanced the building's energy and water efficiency through the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels and sheep’s wool insulation.

Public access to much of our of our historic properties  is limited, as the majority are let on long term leases in order to generate income for our ongoing work. However, a small number of the Trust's properties are regularly open to the public during the summer and where we are able to, we will allow access or share pictorial information for example through the staging of Heritage Open Day and other events.