WARWICK Castle is set to undergo further restoration work next year.
Merlin Entertainments is set to invest a further £500,00 into continued restoration and conservation works at the castle.
Central to next year’s project will be large-scale restoration to the courtyard West Curtain wall – a 50 metre stone wall between the Watergate Tower and the summit of Aethelflaed’s Mound, as well as a series of smaller conservation projects to the Stables’ roof and the sash windows in the main castle overlooking the River Avon.
Specialist architects Rodney Melville & Partners have already been appointed to oversee the works and Treasure & Son of Ludlow will be the contractors. Treasure & Son has worked with the castle for many years, most recently completing the final phase of the South Front Restoration and Conservation programme earlier this year.
Matt Halford, head of facilities at the castle, said: “The 2022 works to the curtain wall will ensure this iconic structure is faithfully restored and safely preserved for years to come.”
“Warwick Castle has over 1,100 years of history and maintaining the medieval structure for future generations to enjoy and learn from is a vital part of why these restorations are undertaken.
“We have a dedicated team of specialists that work year-round on maintaining the castle and we are exceptionally pleased to be able to continue to preserve this incredible piece of English heritage.”
Spanning 38 years, the five-phase South Front Restoration & Conservation programme at Warwick Castle was completed in the spring, with the last phase of the extensive project seeing the full restoration of stonework on the castle’s iconic South Front, overlooking the river.
Beginning in 1983 the full works, which included the installation of a new roof to the castle and restoration of its Mill & Engine House, has seen over £25million invested.
The final phase of the undertaking was a meticulous 16-month, £900,000 project, which incorporated specialist conservation of stone masonry, lead work and window repairs on the castle’s South Front.
Staying as true as possible to the castle’s heritage, the stonework repairs were undertaken by eight specialist masons and utilised over 100 tons of White Hollington Sandstone, which is the nearest available match to the original stone. Overall, over 500 square metres of deteriorated stone wall were repaired and conserved, with large sections of stone having to be completely replaced.
This winter, Warwick Castle is also undertaking restorations works on the Victorian-era lilypond fountain in the Peacock Garden. As an example of early concrete, which has since deteriorated over time, the fountain will be authentically restored by replacing the original moulding with new materials replicating the original forms.
