Ratcheugh Observatory

Ratcheugh Observatory is an impressive eighteenth century sham ruin on Ratcheugh crag in Northumberland. Designed by Robert Adam around 1784 in memory of the first Duchess of Northumberland and constructed by John Bell of Durham, the centrepiece is the first floor Observatory, with spectacular views of the coast and Aln valley. The rocky hilltop, which has iron age remains, was a favourite picnic spot of the first Duchess, like Heiferlaw Tower, and the monument is a prominent landscape feature, visible from Alnwick Castle and the East Coast main railway line. The second Duke added a cottage for a keeper at one end in the early C19, as at Brizlee Tower , and the site also has the remains of buildings connnected with the coastal defences of Britain against invasion during the Second World War.

In addition to carrying out historic research to ensure an 'informed conservation' approach, we identified serious structural defects which required the monument to be temporarily closed to the public and propped as an emergency precaution to preserve it from collapse. We acted in re-roofing to ensure the survival of the fine historic plasterwork and joinery and prepared a comprehensive scheme of repair and conservation for the whole monument, which included obtaining competitive tenders from specialists and extended negotiations with English Heritage with a view to obtaining grant support. The resulting conservation works have ensured the survival of this important and unusual historic monument, enjoyed by walkers and other visitors to the Heritage Coast.