August 2025 update
August has been a truly exciting month here at Bramall Hall, with big progress both inside and out.
Phase Two scaffolding complete
We’re thrilled to share that Phase Two of the scaffolding is now complete, meaning two-thirds of the building is now wrapped in our impressive scaffold structure and protected by a temporary roof.
Fun fact: the canvas covering the roof is now the size of 16 tennis courts. With this in place, restoration work on the middle section of the roof can begin.
Collections care in action
While the scaffolding has been going up outside, our museum team has been busy inside. We've welcomed a team of expert conservators from Lancashire Conservation Studios to help with essential collections care.
The 15th century, stained lead glass window panels in the Chapel, depicting Christ on the Cross, the Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist, have been carefully decanted (museum-speak for packed away) to protect them during the ongoing works. These stunning pieces have been on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum since the 1940s and are original to the Chapel. Before being stored, they were gently cleaned and wrapped in corrosion-inhibiting film to protect their delicate lead frames.
Watch this fascinating video showing the decant and conservation cleaning process. It features insights from one of the brilliant experts helping us care for our collections to the highest standards.
Meanwhile, 2 painting conservators have been assessing our unique suite of Tudor wall paintings. They've also spent a full week carefully covering them in an opaque protective material called Tarantula Tissue. This will shield the wall paintings during Phase Three of the roofing works. A timelapse video of this process will be released shortly.
