London Jacobean Manor House Undergoes Restoration

Boston Manor House in West London is a fine early example of the English Renaissance style. In was built in the Brentford area of London 1623, during the Jacobean era. It is a 3-storey building pleasantly situated in Boston Manor Park, which contains mature cedar trees and a lake.

The Grade I listed building restoration is taking place over the course of two years, and it is currently moving into the second phase.

The house contains a State Drawing Room with a fine plasterwork ceiling, and many other exceptional interior rooms, which were first designed for the use of Lady Mary Reade. The House is now owned and managed by Hounslow Council.

Phase one of the restoration process began on 15 July 2019, and it has now moved to phase 2. It is hoped that the work will be fully completed by autumn 2022, and the house will be reopened to the public, with free admittance. Repairs to the roof and the Jacobean porch have already taken place.

The project is supported by various sources of funding, including: The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, Greater London Authority (GLA) Good Growth Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, the Pilgrim Trust, the Heritage of London Trust and the John and Ruth Howard Trust, the Arts Fundraising website explains.

The house was altered during the 18th and 19th centuries, before falling into decline. The state drawing room still contains the original opulent plasterwork ceiling, which has undergone a conservation process to retore it to its former glory. The ornate ceiling has been finished with a white distemper paint, to recreate the original finish.

In the state bedroom, the ornate plaster ceiling was repainted in gaudy colours during the 1840s, spoiling the delicate beauty of the original. Therefore, it has now been restored to its former chalky matt colour and texture.