The Brief
Arlington Court is a stunning National Trust-owned estate on the edge of Exmoor, held by the Chichester family for more than 500 years. The historic house, built in 1823 and extended in 1860, is renowned for its rich collections, beautiful gardens and iconic Victorian conservatory.
Project Management & Building Etc were appointed to undertake the restoration of the estate's historic conservatory. Years of exposure to the elements had left many of the original timber beams rotten and structurally weakened, threatening the future of this much-loved feature of the formal Victorian gardens.
The challenge was to carefully restore the conservatory while preserving its historic character, ensuring that as much of the original fabric and appearance as possible was retained throughout the process.
Our Work
Working closely with the conservation requirements of this prestigious National Trust property, our team of specialist craftsmen carried out a comprehensive restoration programme.
To protect the structure during the works, we arranged for a temporary "tin roof" to be installed once the glazing had been removed. This ensured the conservatory remained protected from the elements while maintaining the integrity of the building and safeguarding the iconic heron feature that sits proudly at the roof's apex.
Every pane of glass was carefully removed by hand, piece by piece, allowing access to the deteriorated timber framework beneath. Our skilled team then removed the rotten and weakened sections of timber and replaced them with expertly crafted new timbers, matching the original design and detailing wherever possible.
Throughout the project, great care was taken to preserve the historic significance and visual beauty of the conservatory, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern restoration techniques to ensure its longevity for generations to come.
The Outcome
The restoration successfully returned Arlington Court's conservatory to its former glory, preserving one of the estate's most recognisable and treasured features.
Through the careful replacement and reinstatement of the timber framework and glazing, the structure was strengthened while retaining its historic character and architectural elegance. The completed conservatory once again serves as a stunning focal point within the formal Victorian gardens, surrounded by exotic planting and the productive walled garden that supplies flowers for the house and produce for the tea room.
The project stands as an excellent example of sensitive heritage restoration, demonstrating Project Management & Building Etc's ability to deliver complex conservation works while respecting the history and significance of nationally important buildings.
