Stowe House Opens To The Public

Stowe House, the huge Grade I listed 18th century house on the border of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, has been opened up to the public this August. The rare opportunity to see inside the world-famous historic building, which houses a public school.

Stowe House is on English Heritage’s list of buildings at risk, and is also the register of the World Monuments Fund as a top 100 endangered sites of world significance. The Stowe House Preservation Trust have been undertaking an epic restoration programme of the interior, which has taken over 25 years and cost £26 million.

Nothants Live reports that guided tours will be available to take visitors behind the scenes, to see such masterpieces as the Gothic Library. This was designed by the architect Sir John Soane, and features a beautiful fan vaulted ceiling.

The exquisite plasterwork ceiling in the Large Library is thought to date from 1794, and includes an elaborate decorative theme of mythical creatures, symbols, natural forms, and sections that are gilded with gold. The Japan room, commissioned by Lady Anna Eliza Bridges, will also be open to the public.

There also the grand State Rooms, the awe-inspiring Marble Saloon, which features a stunning plasterwork frieze and unique ornate domed roof.

Outside of term time, Stowe House is available as a venue to hire for weddings, conferences, and other events. It has 880 acres of gardens which are managed by the National Trust, and has over 200,000 visitors every year. There is also a 9-hole golf course within the site.

The historic house has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood productions such as The Crown, Bridgerton, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, X-Men: First Class and Stardust.

If you would like some information on lath & plaster restoration work, please get in touch today.

Tunstall Town Hall To Reopen After Renovations

The historic town hall in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, is set to re-open after conservation work was completed to preserve some of its original features. The Grade II listed red-brick town hall was built in 1885, and was designed by Absalom Wood. It had suffered neglect in recent decades, despite containing some fine examples of craftsmanship.

Extensive restoration works, at a cost of £3.8 million, have been ongoing since April 2020. Much of the original plasterwork had to be removed to access the structure of the building. However, the ornate Victorian plaster covings have been restored to their original condition.

A grand staircase and other Victorian features, including decorative tiling, and etched doors and architraves (the moulding around doorways and windows) were restored. The stonework on the exterior of the building was also restored by specialist heritage stone masons.

Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, infrastructure and heritage has said: “Improving Tunstall Town Hall and moving much needed services into one building is a great start to improving the area.”

He added: “The building was in a much worse state of repair than first thought. The front elevation was rotating towards the street and some of the roof tiles had perished and after decades of limited investment, a lot of the structure had become a concern, with one of the first tasks to peel as much of the plaster and finishes to expose the structure.”

“The heritage improvement works for a beautiful building have helped us uncover some incredible features and really capture the craftmanship of historical architectural roots with in the city.”

Following the successful restoration, the Town Hall will now be put to use serving the community with a local library, a children’s centre, and a community hub.

If you would like some information on listed building restoration, please talk to us today.

What Can And Can’t You Do To A Grade II Listed Building?

Grade II listed buildings make up nearly 92% of all listed buildings, so if you have purchased a listed building, it is likely to fall into this category. They are subject to regulations because they are deemed to have special historical or architectural character. These laws guide and restrict what work can be done both internally and externally.

The age and character of the property is probably what tempted you to buy it in the first place, and many do make lovely and well-appointed places to live. However, they are mostly by their nature older structures, which might be in need of some renovation or adaptations to make them suitable for living comfortably and safely in. 

 Before starting on any work however, it is essential to have written permission from your local authority. Not to do so is a criminal offence, and you will be required to return the building to its original state at your own expense. You may face further penalties, such as a fine or even a custodial sentence. 

What about essential repair work?

It’s still best to seek consent, even if the work seems unavoidable to preserve the integrity of the building. They may stipulate that the repairs meet certain conditions, such as the use of similar materials, or lath & plaster techniques. In cases where something needs replacing, such as a window, you may be asked to have it refurbished instead.

Distinctive features, such as period fireplaces, should never be removed without permission, even if you think they are not worth renovating. It is always best practice to seek permission from the local authority, no matter what your personal opinion on the matter might be. 

If all this sounds off-putting due to the expense involved, you could research the grants available to restore or repair listed buildings. In some cases, the local authority may offer a small grant towards the cost of essential works. Historic England will consider applications for eligible buildings, although not all may be successful due to the high volume of demand. 

If you are turned down for a grant, there are some alternative sources you could try, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. However, they rarely offer funds to private homes, but there are a handful of other niche organisations to be found.

What if you want to extend the building?

Permission to extend the building might sound impossible to obtain, but this is not always the case. The regulations are there to make sure that any changes are in keeping with the character of the building and the surrounding environment, rather than to preserve it in its exact original state.

To ensure the best chance of gaining permission for an extension, its best to have the plans drawn up by a professional architect who has some experience of working with listed buildings. Remember that any small changes to the original plan, or unforeseen changes that need to be made to the existing building, will need a fresh application of consent.

Morecambe Winter Gardens Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Morecambe Winter Gardens, dubbed ‘The Albert Hall of the North’ because of its elegant Victorian grandeur, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The celebrated building features an ornate fibrous plasterwork ceiling, which has recently been restored to its full glory. The venue is staffed and run entirely by volunteers.

The Lancaster Guardian reports that the redbrick seafront building first opened in July 1897, and was originally known as the Victorian Theatre and Pavilion Hall, as it was an addition to the pre-existing Winter Gardens, which were constructed in 1878. From the outset, it was designed to rival London institutions in style and quality.

The grand exterior was designed by Mangnall & Littlewood from Manchester. The interiors, including the opulent plasterwork ceiling which was created as part of the auditorium, were designed by Dean and Co, and also by Burmantoft of Leeds. The lavish décor was based on the design of the Albert Hall.

The venue was granted Grade II* listed status in 1991, surviving a threat of demolition at the end of the 1970s. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the theatre is hosting a series of special events, including a children’s party, free tours, and film screenings. 

For the past three years, the Winter Gardens have been undergoing a comprehensive restoration and regeneration programme, with funding received from the Theatres Trust, Historic England, and the Architectural Heritage Fund. The ceiling has been fully repaired, cleaned, and restored.

The venue has hosted Sir Edward Elgar four times in the early 20th century, and The Entertainer, starring Laurence Olivier, was filmed there. Many other stars of the entertainment world, from Laurel and Hardy to the Rolling Stones, have also performed at the Winter Gardens. 

If you would like some more information about listed building restoration, please contact us today. 

What Can And Can’t You Do To A Grade II Listed Building?

Grade II listed buildings make up nearly 92% of all listed buildings, so if you have purchased a listed building, it is likely to fall into this category. They are subject to regulations because they are deemed to have special historical or architectural character. These laws guide and restrict what work can be done both internally and externally.

The age and character of the property is probably what tempted you to buy it in the first place, and many do make lovely and well-appointed places to live. However, they are mostly by their nature older structures, which might be in need of some renovation or adaptations to make them suitable for living comfortably and safely in. 

Before starting on any work however, it is essential to have written permission from your local authority. Not to do so is a criminal offence, and you will be required to return the building to its original state at your own expense. You may face further penalties, such as a fine or even a custodial sentence. 

What about essential repair work?

It’s still best to seek consent, even if the work seems unavoidable to preserve the integrity of the building. They may stipulate that the repairs meet certain conditions, such as the use of similar materials, or lath & plaster techniques. In cases where something needs replacing, such as a window, you may be asked to have it refurbished instead.

Distinctive features, such as period fireplaces, should never be removed without permission, even if you think they are not worth renovating. It is always best practice to seek permission from the local authority, no matter what your personal opinion on the matter might be. 

If all this sounds off-putting due to the expense involved, you could research the grants available to restore or repair listed buildings. In some cases, the local authority may offer a small grant towards the cost of essential works. Historic England will consider applications for eligible buildings, although not all may be successful due to the high volume of demand. 

If you are turned down for a grant, there are some alternative sources you could try, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund. However, they rarely offer funds to private homes, but there are a handful of other niche organisations to be found.

What if you want to extend the building?

Permission to extend the building might sound impossible to obtain, but this is not always the case. The regulations are there to make sure that any changes are in keeping with the character of the building and the surrounding environment, rather than to preserve it in its exact original state.

To ensure the best chance of gaining permission for an extension, its best to have the plans drawn up by a professional architect who has some experience of working with listed buildings. Remember that any small changes to the original plan, or unforeseen changes that need to be made to the existing building, will need a fresh application of consent.

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.

Plan To Restore Fire Damaged Room At Castle Howard

Plans have been lodged to restore a culturally significant room at Castle Howard that was damaged by a fire in 1940. The 145-room stately home near Malton, North Yorkshire, is one of the largest in Europe, and draws over 250,000 visitors a year. It is not actually a castle, but it is thought that a fortified structure originally stood on the grounds.

In 1940, a fire destroyed many rooms of the house, including the central hall, the dome, the dining room, and the cabinet room. Antonio Pellegrini's ceiling decoration, the Fall of Phaeton, was lost when the dome collapsed, and several other valuable artworks were destroyed in the blaze.

The cabinet room has been left derelict since the fire, but now an application has been made to restore the ornate plasterwork, giant tapestries, and period furniture.

The BBC reports that a document submitted with the planning application states: "The proposal to restore this derelict interior into a new version of the Tapestry Drawing Room marks a very significant moment in the long and gradual recovery of these interiors following the fire of 1940."

A Historic England spokesman said it was "a welcome step forward on the process of gradual reinstatement of lost interiors of this outstanding building. We consider that the alterations proposed will on the whole have a positive impact on the special architectural and historic interest of the Grade I listed building."

Construction began on the house in 1699, and it was continually added to over the next 100 years. It remains the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family today. it has been used as a filming location several times, for two separate adaptations of the Evelyn Waugh novel Brideshead Revisited, and for episodes of Bridgerton and Victoria.

If you are looking for cornice repair in London, please get in touch today.

Shoe Shop Has Historically Significant Plasterwork Ceiling

An unassuming shoe shop in Gloucester city centre houses a nationally important carved plasterwork ceiling, which is currently undergoing conservation work. Gloucestershire Live reports that the plans are being carried out as part of a £1.9m project to restore some neglected historical buildings on Westgate Street.

14 Westgate Street is Meek’s Shoes & Accessories to the high street shoppers. However, to conservationists, it is also a Grade II* listed building, with an 18th century frontage, and a 16th century wing with an ornate carved plasterwork ceiling. The damaged plasterwork is being restored, and the traditional façade of the shop is being reinstated.

The area is part of the city’s Cathedral Quarter, and a Heritage Action Zone, funded by Gloucester City Council and Historic England, is underway to renovate and restore many of the original buildings in the area, some of which date back to the 12th century.

City council leader Richard Cook said: "It's just one part of many areas of work we are doing to regenerate the city centre. You can't tear it all down and rebuild it. I wrote a letter recently to Government saying that the worst thing they could be doing is demolishing everything.”

He added: “They need to be repurposing buildings as it is the best way of keeping cost and carbon emissions as low as possible. That's what's important about the work we are doing in Westgate Street. By renewing and repurposing what is already there and enabling it for housing you are killing every bird with that one stone.”

Westgate links the beautiful medieval cathedral with the main shopping area of the city. It was once home to many thriving shops and businesses, but now several properties have become vacant. It is hoped that the improvements will attract new owners who value and celebrate the unique historical flavour of the area.

If you would like some advice about cornicing in London, please talk to us today.