Blenheim Palace has announced its largest project to date with a roof restoration costing £10.4m to begin in January 2025
The Blenheim Palace roof restoration is intended to preserve and protect the Oxfordshire palace’s architecture and improve its longevity.
Alongside the roof restoration, renovations will be undertaken in visitor areas intended for public view in the new year.
DBR Ltd will oversee the Blenheim Palace roof restoration
The building restoration company was selected for its experience with 18th-century buildings.
The palace has suffered from water penetration in three sections: the Great Hall, the Heights, and the Saloon. The timbers in the roof have become saturated, which in turn is causing damage to the ceiling fresco, an important part of the UNESCO heritage site.
Further damage within the roof includes Death Watch Beetle infestations, dampness, leaks, smoke damage, dirt, mould, decay, collapsed ceilings, and loss of fabric.
There is also damage on the outside of the roof
On the outside, there is extensive stone delamination and stone fall, as well as iron cramps that are rusting and swelling to up to 12 times their original size. This leads to further damage and allows more water in.
The work will strengthen the roof and prevent future water damage. It will also lead to a rooftop view opening, providing visitors with a view across the estate and surrounding region.
Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said, Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said, “This monumental roof project represents one of the most ambitious conservation efforts in Blenheim Palace’s history. This £10.4 million restoration is a complex undertaking that will require a combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative building techniques to safeguard the structural integrity of our UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
