Walls, gates and railings

Walls, gates and railings can be key elements of historic gardens and estates, yet are often neglected or poorly repaired. In this example of a listed estate wall, Robin Kent Architecture & Conservation prepared a detailed condition report after being called in to advise on poorly executed grant aided repairs. In addition to these, a range of typical defects were identified, including damaging previous alterations, decaying stones and mortar, rusting railings, stress cracking and 'jacking' due to rusting built-in metalwork, and rotting timber gates. The report recommended a conservation strategy to safeguard these valuable historic features and the value of the estate, and suggested budget costs to help with future maintenance planning.