RUINS & CASTLES

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Curwen Hall

Workington, Cumbria

Client Cumberland Council

Status Ongoing

A former fortified tower house now in ruins, dating from late 14th to early 15th Century. The house underwent many alterations by; the Curwen family in the 16th Century with the addition of the gatehouse, and Architect John Carr in the late 18th Century.

Inspections and remedial works have been carried out in a phased approach, with works completed to the North East Range, South East Range and Gatehouse.

Alongside Architects Mosedale Gillatt Architects.

Lowther Castle

Lake District National Park, Cumbria

Client Lowther Estate

Scope grade II* listed | 1806-14 | English Heritage grant |

Lake District National Park | masonry repairs

Status Completed

A country house built to look like a medieval castle. The building was left as a stabilised ruin after the roof was removed in the 1950s.

A condition survey was carried out identifying areas that were at risk of potential collapse. Works involved localised masonry consolidation, pointing in lime mortar, parapet rebuilding and new leadwork. Works were grant aided by English Heritage.

Castle Howard Stray Walls

Castle Howard, York, North Yorkshire

Client Castle Howard Estate

Scope grade I listed | 1723 | Sir John Vanbrugh |

Natural England | masonry repairs | underpinning

Status Completed

The Stray Walls form a major part of the 18th Century landscaping by Sir John Vanbrugh amongst others. The walls and towers were in a poor state of decay and with a Natural England grant were partly rebuilt, extensively repaired and in some places underpinned as a result of undermining by rabbits.

Pontefract Castle

Pontefract, West Yorkshire

Client Wakefield Council

Scope Scheduled Monument | 1070 | 'Key to the North' |

structural condition survey | masonry repairs

Status Completed

$Pontefract Castle 01.jpg$

Little survives of what was one of the most impressive castles in Yorkshire other than parts of the curtain wall and excavated inner walls. Parts of a 12th Century wall, the Piper Tower's postern gate and the foundations of a chapel are the oldest remains. The ruins of the Round Tower or Keep are on the 11th Century mound.

Localised masonry repairs, including; consolidation works, crack stitching, vegetation clearance and temporary propping.

Kendal Castle

Kendal, Cumbria

Client South Lakeland Council

Scope Scheduled Monument | Late 12th Century |

routine inspections | localised masonry repairs

Status Ongoing Routine Inspections

The castle was probably built in the late 12th century as the home of the Lancaster family, the Barons of Kendal. As part of the Local Authorities stewardship plan the condition of the ruins are routinely inspected and a repair strategy is recommended for implementation by the Local Authority. Repair works include localised masonry consolidation and vegetation clearance.

Providence Smelt Mill

Lambley, Northumberland

Client South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society

Scope grade II* listed | 1852 | sensitive repairs |

280m span | masonry repairs | drainage improvements

Status Major Works Completed | Ongoing Routine Surveys

A masonry viaduct on the Haltwhistle to Alston Railway which was closed in the 1970's and fell into disrepair. Eventually funds were acquired and as lead consultant, we were responsible for extensive repairs; complete repointing, provision of new gates and a new staircase for access. The deck was relaid with new drainage to preserve the stonework.

Winner of the RICS Conservation Award 1997

Scaleby Castle

Scaleby, Cumbria

Client Privately Owned

Scope grade I listed | Scheduled Monument | 14th Century |

Heritage at Risk Register | innovative remedial works |

Status Completed

The ruined curtain wall at Scaelby Hall was on English Heritage's at risk register. An extensive repair scheme was designed and implemented on site. Works involved innovative limecrete capping to the vaults and walls, and underpinning with the first use of Geobear (formally Uretek) a resin based injected ground strengthening system, on a historic building.

Dryhope Tower

Selkirk, Scottish Borders

Client Scottish Borders Council

Scope Scheduled Monument | medieval tower house |

masonry repairs | local materials | access restrictions

Status Completed

A ruined Scottish defensive tower in the valley of Yarrow Water, which was stabilised using local stone from around the site and lime mortar.

The remote location made access for the construction work difficult, which was taken into account during the design of the remedial works. Small component parts were selected to ensure that they could be easily transported using small all terrain vehicles.

Shittleheugh Bastle

Otterburn, Northumberland

Client Private Client

Scope Scheduled Monument | 16th to 17th century |

Natural England | fortified medieval farmhouse |

Heritage at Risk

Status Completed

A fortified farmstead from the turbulent days of Border raiding in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The bastle was on English Heritage's at risk register, causing Natural England to step in and help the landowner to carry out urgent repairs in 2010. Funding by Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme.

The work to stabilise the remaining structure had to be protected with hessian and straw during the winter months to allow the lime mortar to cure and to protect from frost damage.