Project update: Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion is a fascinating building near Stroud in Gloucestershire; designed by the architect Benjamin Bucknall, it was left incomplete in 1871 and abandoned for many years until its ‘rediscovery’ in 1987. Donald Insall Associates recently completed a Conservation Management Plan, and have carried out a number of projects there in recent years, including the re-finishing of the Laundry and Ironing Room roofs in 2021, all with the support of John Goom, now retired but architect for the building since 1997.

Work underway now involves re-roofing of part of the South Range, following receipt of a grant of some £180k from the Historic Houses Foundation, as well as repairs to stained glass and masonry. Roofing is in Cotswold Stone Slate, fixed on a very slim batten (1″ x 1/2″) which was used historically. In order to fix it, special nails have been fabricated to match the historic detail. This has been found to be surprisingly easy to use, as the battens don’t need to be drilled as we might normally expect.

The project team consists of:

Contractor: Croft Building & Conservation Ltd

Quantity surveyor: Stenning & Co

Structural Engineer: FW Haywood