Restoration diary

April and May 2026: Work on The Folly begins

Historic Property Restoration Ltd arrived on site on 13 April. Protective coverings were put in place before work began inside the building.

Scaffolding started to rise around The Folly, while work began on the interiors. Care was taken to protect historic surfaces, and museum objects and archive material remaining on site.

Modern gypsum plaster was removed from parts of the ground floor. The accessible toilet was also removed ready for refurbishment.

Scaffolding being erected around The Folly in April 2026 — Scaffolding work starting

The Hall at The Folly showing floor protection in place in front of the fireplace — Scaffolding work starting

June and July 2026: Preparing the roof

By early July, the scaffolding and temporary roof were almost complete. Roofers could then begin work while The Folly remained protected from rain.

Specialists started repointing the north wall with an approved lime mortar. Plaster repairs continued inside, and new windows were ordered.

Before work began, an ecologist inspected the roof. No evidence of bats was found, but two access points will be retained in their original positions.

The first volunteer tours gave supporters a chance to see work in progress and the traditional skills involved.

The scaffolding at The Folly rising to roof level — The scaffolding reaches roof level

Lower section of the north gable wall at The Folly raked out for repointing — The scaffolding reaches roof level

August 2026: Roofs, ceilings, walls and plaster

The external scaffolding and temporary roof were completed. Repairs to the chimneys were finished, and the roof timbers received their first treatment. Inspection showed that the main roof timbers (some original and some replaced in the 1980s) were in good condition. The roofers began fixing roofing felt and battens ready for the slates. Further work was needed to consolidate the tops of the stone walls so that they could support the roof properly. Plans were made to widen the guttering to cope more effectively with heavy rainfall.

Significant movement was found in part of the first floor and the ceiling below it. Taking the ceiling down revealed evidence of a previously unrecorded fire.

Inside, lime plastering continued on the ground and first floors. The first coats of plaster dried more slowly than expected in the hot and humid weather. The extra humidity warped some of the first floor gallery floorboards and lifting them revealed further, unexpected issues with the joists and wall plates. Work in this area was paused while specialists investigated.

Plasterer applying a first coat of lime plaster to an internal stone wall — Applying the first coat of lime plaster

The roof at The Folly stripped for reslating, with older and more modern timbers exposed — Applying the first coat of lime plaster

September 2026: Responding to what we found

By September, much of the external repointing was completed. The wall tops were rebuilt and a further area of loose stone near a chimney was also identified for careful repair.

The structural engineer developed proposals for the affected floor and ceiling and further discussions were held with the Conservation Officer. Joists were strengthened and new laths were installed, ready for plastering. The oak floorboards were lifted and stored, with temporary flooring laid to provide safe access.

In areas where three coats of plaster had dried out sufficiently, the first coats of limewash were applied. The accessible WC was reinstated.

A builder in a hi-vis jacket stands on a partly repaired, complex seventeenth-century roof under a temporary roof covering — Widening the valley gutters

New oak laths affixed to a ceiling ready for plastering — Widening the valley gutters

What happens next

The next stages include:

continuing the roof repairs
repairing the affected floor and ceiling
completing lime plastering and limewashing
installing and refurbishing windows
repairing gutters and drainage
carrying out work to the courtyard, dry moat, steps and paving
preparing the museum for reopening.

The programme of work may continue to change as the team learns more about the building. Each decision is being made carefully to protect The Folly’s historic character.

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