Two conservation award wins at the Civic Trust Award

The Civic Trust Award has announced the restoration of Pope’s Grotto and the stabilisation of Hardwick Old Hall as winners of this year’s AABC Conservation Award, which recognises the highest standards of historic building conservation.

Over 320 projects were entered from across the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and USA, reflecting the scheme’s continuing international reach.

Grade I-listed Hardwick Old Hall, a 16th-century ruin, reopened to visitors for the first time in three years last year following careful conservation work in line with English Heritage’s SCAMP principles.

Works to conserve the Grade II-listed Alexander Pope’s Grotto in Twickenham have incorporated the site’s rich history and allowed the site to be removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.