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Lambeth Palace
Lollards tower
1 / 2
High above the surrounding roofs, the masonry stacks had endured years of exposure. Over time, failing mortar joints within the ragstone and brickwork allowed water to penetrate behind the outer skin of the walling. As moisture worked its way into the structure, voids formed behind the stonework, weakening the bond between the outer face and the masonry behind it.
By the time repairs were commissioned, these hidden cavities had grown significant enough to threaten the stability of the fabric itself.
Client
The Church Commissioners
Dates
19 Jul 2018
—
5 Dec 2018
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade I
Fabric
Brick
Stone
Stabilising the Walls from Within
Access to the affected areas was achieved through designed scaffolding, allowing conservators to reach the upper masonry safely and work methodically across the structure. The first task was to restore the internal cohesion of the walling.
Void spaces behind the ragstone were filled using deep lime grouting, allowing the material to flow into hidden cavities and reconnect the outer skin with the backing structure. Once stabilised, deep filling and repointing were carried out using lime mortar, reinstating the flexibility and breathability essential to historic masonry.
Replacing What Time Had Taken
Where erosion and structural movement had irreparably damaged the stonework, replacement became necessary. Ragstone, Bath Stone, and Portland Stone were replaced in carefully matched sections, ensuring that new work blended seamlessly with the surrounding fabric.
Extensive repairs included the replacement of ashlar blocks and spandrel stonework, restoring both the structural strength and architectural detailing of the elevations.
Alongside the stone repairs, DBR also replaced carved yellow stock bricks and carried out lime mortar pointing across affected brickwork, reinforcing the masonry while preserving its historic character.
Repairing the Cupola Above
At roof level, attention turned to the cupola. Defective leadwork was removed, exposing the joinery beneath. The timber substrates were repaired before new milled lead coverings were installed, reinstating the protective envelope that shields the structure from the elements.
A Structure Secured
When the works concluded, the masonry stacks once again stood firm, voids filled, joints renewed, and weakened stone replaced. The interventions were largely invisible to the casual observer, yet essential to the building’s continued stability.
Through careful consolidation, replacement, and traditional lime-based repairs, DBR ensured that what water had slowly undermined could be restored, allowing the structure to withstand the weather for many years to come.
