The Trust

The Folly is the flagship building of the North Craven Building Preservation Trust, a charity established in 1976. The Trust also cares for the Zion Chapel and Hall (Grade II) built in Upper Settle in 1816, gifted to the Trust in 2018, along with its Manse and Cottage. In 2023, the Trust purchased a Grade II listed merchant’s house on Settle’s Market Place, built sometime before 1787, known as Dr Buck’s House.

The Folly (Grade I)  is a 17th century gentleman’s townhouse in the heart of historic Settle. It is now home to the Museum of North Craven Life.

The NCBPT’s Charitable Objects

The objects of the Trust are, for the benefit of the North Craven community, for visitors to the area, and for the nation at large, to—

(a) preserve the built heritage in and around North Craven which is of particular beauty or historical, architectural or constructional interest; and

(b) acquire, preserve, document, interpret and make accessible exhibits, objects and collections relating to the social, agricultural, industrial and built environment of North Craven through the provision of a museum service for the purpose of educating and informing the public.

What the NCBPT does

Museum of North Craven Life

The Trust owns and manages the Museum of North Craven Life. The Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibition galleries are housed within The Folly, alongside our offices, research area, archives and stores, and our award-winning Folly Coffee House, Museum Café of the Year 2023. The Museum runs a lively public programme, supports lifelong learning and provides opportunities for volunteering.

Preservation of Built Heritage

The Trust seeks to acquire and preserve buildings important to the heritage of North Craven, particularly if there is no prospect of the building being acquired by a private developer. We raise funds to preserve the properties in our care with a view to using them for our own purposes, leasing them or selling them to release funds, which can then be used to acquire further buildings or maintain The Folly and Zion Chapel.

Advice

The Trust maintains an overview of planning applications that may affect the built heritage of North Craven and will make representation to the local planning authority, as appropriate.