Among the colourful events in its history, Wiston House was first captured by the Royalists and then by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Today, the house is the base of Wilton Park, an executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office providing a global forum for strategic discussion.

This local Grade I listed landmark; popular with both the resident public and more international groups, required elements of both conservation and restoration in order to prevent destabilisation of the 16thCentury bay window structure, arising as a result of corrosion in the old iron cramps within the Mullions.

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Over many years DBR have been extremely honoured to carry restoration of not only the façade but also the many roof slopes. Unfortunately 80% of the Horsham stone coverings have been replaced with a mixture of natural slate from many regions including Welsh, Cumbrian, Spanish and Chinese .The last remaining Horsham stone roof is situated over the great hall but is hidden from view by a very high parapet wall.

After many attempts to stem various leaks which where predominantly caused by the failing pointing and batten fatigue the house instructed DBR to carry out a comprehensive programme of works which in-volved the removal of the Horsham stone, replacement of all associated lead work, breather membranes, batten and sympathetic repairs of rafters, ridge and valley beams and wall plates with new air dried oak sections.

The existing stone was catalogued and sized before being refixed to the roof with new stainless steel fixings, new Welsh slate was sourced to form the under cloak and a traditional lime mortar mix was agreed with the architects to replicate the existing in colour and texture.

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Take a look at this project on Instagram.

More projects by DBR Southern teams can be found here.

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