Wortham Manor Landmark Trust
Grade I listed Wortham Manor is a Landmark Trust holiday accommodation property, which has undergone significant refurbishment to improve energy efficiency and upgrade the facilities.
Thought to date back to the late 15th Century, the house underwent various alterations over the centuries, including in the 16th Century, when the great hall and resplendent chamber above are most likely to date. The manor was saved from disrepair by society architect Philip Tilden in the 1940s, before being acquired as one of the Trust’s earliest purchases in 1969.
The initial brief was to repoint a small area of masonry; carry out some light reordering to introduce a new bathroom and rearrange the sleeping accommodation; as well as introducing ground source heat pumps with more efficient radiators and underfloor heating in line with the Trust’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon.
Once the project was underway, the client decided to make the most of the rare opportunity to carry out works whilst the property was shutdown to guests.
As a result, the house was entirely redecorated; additional joinery built; six bathrooms refitted; new lighting; and the plumbing and wiring were upgraded. Draughtproofing and fire separation measures were put in place and improvements were made to the emergency means of escape.
Working to a tight timeframe, the project was an exercise in pragmatism within the bounds of historic building legislation. As a result of Jonathan Rhind Architects working collaboratively with the client, contractor and local authority, the property has been given a new lease of life with modern facilities without losing any of its historic charm and detail.
Project team:
Client: The Landmark Trust
Architects: Jonathan Rhind Architects
Construction: Ellis and Co
Photographs courtesy Landmark Trust
© John Miller Photography
www.johnmillerphotography.com
