In October Historic England unveiled their Heritage at Risk Register for 2020. The annual register provides a snapshot of the critical health of England’s historic places and spotlights those most at risk of being lost forever.
To our delight, thanks to our ambitious projects to save Cobham Dairy in Kent and Winsford Cottage Hospital in Devon, both buildings have been removed from the register. Our transformative work brought each building back from the brink of near-dereliction, and we’re thrilled the successes have been recognised by Historic England.
At grade II* Cobham Dairy, before our work began the tiny building was in a state of advanced decay: exposed brickwork was crumbling, fallen timbers lay scattered throughout and only the tiniest fragments of its precious plasterwork remained. Designed by James Wyatt, one of the most influential and sought-after architects of the 18th-century, the building was both highly decorative and entirely functional. Our project culminated in two years onsite, with a small team of highly specialist craftspeople undertaking exacting works. Today the diminutive building once again stands ready to welcome visitors, its central chamber - once used for making cream, butter and cheese - now a comfortable sitting room.
Learn more about Cobham Dairy
At Winsford Cottage Hospital, built in 1899 and designed by the brilliant arts and crafts architect C.F.A. Voysey, our restoration not only turned the tide of decay but returned the site to the heart of its local community. Our year-long project included renewing the sweeping Cornish Delabole slate roof and provided training opportunities for students and volunteers. Today the site not only welcomes holidaymakers but also provides hospitable rooms for freelance healthcare practitioners and local community groups to hire. You can hear our historian Caroline Stanford on BBC Radio Devon’s breakfast show about the significance of Winsford from here (interviewed from 7.25am), or listen to a 3-minute audio-clip summary below.
Discover Winsford Cottage Hospital
These achievements are only possible because of support from a huge number of individuals, grant-making bodies and others, including Ecclesiastical Insurance at Cobham Dairy, and national lottery players thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund at Winsford Cottage Hospital. As with all our buildings, thanks to the income we receive from holiday bookings, the future of each site is now secure forevermore.