Daedalus Conservation at Cliveden House

Dædalus, our conservation division, has recently commenced works at Cliveden House, commissioned by the National Trust. The Grade I* Listed property this year marks 350 years of history, and as such the South Terrace is in need of some restoration work. The Terrace is thought to be the oldest part of the house, having survived two devastating fires, as well as water damage due to a faulty drainage system. The damp has also seeped into the Sounding Chamber and Ferneries below.

To restore the terrace to its former glory, the team at Dædalus has been tasked with taking up the Crazy Paving. This involves painstakingly surveying and recording each individual stone slab, lifting them out undamaged and storing in a safe location. Bonding patterns, joint widths and any special features all have to be noted. Meanwhile, excavation work is carried out to remove the concrete fill, installing new drains and channels, as well as a waterproof membrane, safeguarding the terrace from rainwater. The paving will then be meticulously re-laid just as it was, using the original installation methods of over three centuries ago.

Repairs will also be carried out to the ferneries, to remove the vegetation, clean and carry out repairs to the brick, cornices and stonework. All of which will provide the house with a new lease of life.

For more information, take a look at this blog post written by the National Trust, on what’s been happening on site.

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