50 for Free

Free short breaks for charities in extraordinary places

What is 50 for Free?

50 for Free is an annual scheme that offers free stays at Landmark Trust properties for charities and non-profit organisations. In spring 2025, we will launch a special iteration of the scheme, celebrating our 60th anniversary with '60 for Free'. Applications will open in March with stays for 60 groups taking place in November 2025.

An extraordinary survival of the industrial age

During a time of industrial revolution, this handsome property in the heart of Manchester became home to the first Station Agent of the world’s first passenger railway. Now the Landmark Trust will carefully restore Station Agent’s House to create a forward-looking Landmark which meets high standards of environmental sustainability and physical accessibility. But we need your help.

The Station Agent’s House was the hub around which Liverpool Road Station was developed

Here, so much that would characterise train travel was first seen: waiting rooms, signals, tickets, ticket offices and a station master or station agent’s house. This home, with direct access onto the original platforms is the structure that Landmark hopes to take on. It will provide essential new use and access to the building which marks the very birthplace of the world’s passenger railways.

A gift today means work can start without delay

A black and white illustration of an industrial brick building

This project involves repairing and refurbishing the house to create a forward-looking Landmark

The house will meet the latest standards for environmental sustainability and meet Visit England standards for accessibility. It will provide essential new use and access to the building which marks the very birthplace of the world’s passenger railways.

Manchester is a place where things happen

Today, The Station Agent’s House is on the estate of the Manchester Science and Industry Museum and is still surrounded by the original buildings of the 1830s station. It is part of a new nexus of forward-looking innovation and technology and in 2023 a major new arts centre will open within walking distance. This project involves repairing and refurbishing the house to create a forward-looking Landmark. It will meet the latest standards for environmental sustainability and meet Visit England standards for accessibility.

Support the transformation of this extraordinary home