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Chancton Farmhouse
Wiston Estate
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Set within the rolling landscape of the Wiston Estate, Upper Chancton Farm had stood since 1721, a quiet cluster of agricultural buildings shaped by centuries of rural life. Its farmhouse, built from French limestone and ironstone, carried the character of materials chosen as much for availability as for endurance. Wind, rain, and time had gradually worn away that endurance, leaving the gable end deeply eroded and structurally unstable.
By the time intervention became unavoidable, the corner of the South Elevation and the gable itself could no longer be secured through repair alone.
Client
The Wiston Estate
Dates
March 2014
—
May 2015
Location
Sussex
Grade listing
Grade II
Taking Down to Save
The decision was made to dismantle the two adjoining original walls entirely, a step taken not lightly, but with the understanding that preservation sometimes begins with removal. Each stone was carefully taken down, recorded, and set aside for reuse wherever possible.
To allow this work to proceed safely, engineered scaffolding was installed within the building to support the roof structure. The farmhouse remained standing, its upper weight held in suspension while the walls beneath were rebuilt.
Foundations for Another Century
Before reconstruction could begin, the ground itself required strengthening. New concrete footings were introduced to provide a stable base, ensuring that the rebuilt walls would not suffer the same gradual movement that had contributed to their earlier failure.
This unseen intervention formed the foundation for everything that followed.
Rebuilding with Old Stone and New Knowledge
The walls were then reconstructed using the salvaged French limestone and ironstone, allowing the farmhouse to retain its historic appearance and material character. Each stone was returned to the wall with care, the new structure echoing the old while benefiting from improved stability.
At the same time, the rebuild incorporated discreet adaptations to meet modern building standards. Insulation and an internal blockwork skin were introduced, improving thermal performance and durability without altering the external face of the building.
A Rural Landmark Secured
When the scaffolding was removed, the farmhouse gable stood once more as it had for generations, solid, familiar, and rooted in its landscape. Yet beneath the surface, it was stronger than before, supported by modern foundations and concealed structural improvements.
The success of the project led to further commissions for DBR’s Southern Team, a quiet acknowledgement that careful restoration had not only saved a building, but restored confidence in its future.
At Upper Chancton Farm, the past was not replaced, it was carefully taken apart, understood, and rebuilt, allowing a three-hundred-year-old structure to continue its life in the Sussex countryside.
