July 2025 update
Work on Phase One of the Under Our Roof restoration project is now nearing completion, and we're delighted with the emerging results.
The beautiful Tudor-style chimneys, originally installed by Charles Nevill in the 1880s, have received expert conservation treatment. They've been carefully cleaned, stabilised, and repointed using lime mortar that has been precisely matched to the original, maintaining the high standards set during the Nevill restoration. Each chimney has also been recapped to ensure long-term protection.
Roof restoration: slate by slate
The roof is being lovingly restored, one stone slate at a time. Our approach prioritises conservation: we're reusing as many original stone slates as possible and only replacing them with like-for-like Carboniferous sandstone slate when absolutely necessary. Before the slates are laid, a new layer of wood fibre insulation is laid followed by the TLX Bat Safe membrane to ensure the Hall remains a safe and welcoming home for our long-standing colonies of Pipistrelle and Brown long-eared bats.
A new counter-batten framework is then added, and the slates are laid in traditional fashion: starting with the largest slates at the bottom, the slates gradually decrease in size as the heritage roofers work their way up.
Fun fact
- largest stone slate removed so far: 900mm x 1,200mm
- smallest stone slate removed so far: 300mm x 300mm
New heritage features
We've also replaced the leaking, non-heritage skylights (installed in the 1970s) with beautiful heritage-grade windows that are both functional and in keeping with the Hall’s historic character.
Looking ahead: Phase Two
Scaffolding for Phase Two is now being installed, and work on the middle section of the roof will begin shortly after. We'll continue to keep you updated as the project progresses.
