Repair and conservation work to the remains of the medieval moated manor house at Scadbury Park are now successfully complete, with grant funding from Historic England supporting the pleasing project.
The £151,000 repair project, including successful grant funding of just over £92,000 from Historic England has helped secure some of the most urgent repairs and stabilisation of brickwork. The works, carried out by specialist contractor Pierra Ltd, have ensured that the most vulnerable areas of the site are not lost, whilst at the same time ensuring on-going access for maintenance and archaeological excavations is retained.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, Executive Councillor for Environment said, “This is very positive news indeed and we have learnt even more about this fascinating early manor-house which of course was surrounded by a moat, with the remains still visible in Scadbury Park today. Thank you so much to ODAS, who have done so much to help conserve this precious site with their dedicated volunteering and expert archaeological oversight work. We are also grateful for the support of Historic England, including their grant funding, which has enabled the high quality outcome that we had envisaged.”
Janet Clayton, Chairman of ODAS, said, “This project has been a great success, safeguarding key areas of this important site for the future, and we are very grateful to Bromley Council, Historic England and everyone involved in bringing it to a successful conclusion. We have also had the opportunity to find out more about the Tudor buildings as the work has taken place. We hope to open the site to the public at our open weekend on 10-11 September, for details, see www.odas.org.uk”
The moated manor and fishponds, which were designated by Historic England as a scheduled monument in 2013 and added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2014, are located within three hundred acres of countryside forming the wider local nature reserve and part of the original Scadbury estate.
The repair works, which started in September 2021, included repairs to, and in some cases rebuilding of areas on the site, including the south retaining walls; drawbridge pit; ‘Area 1’ brickwork; large cellar; inner north moat wall and concrete staircase. The delivery of the works was overseen by Purcell Architecture Ltd in conjunction with The Ecology Consultancy, idverde and Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS).
As part of the project ODAS kindly volunteered their time and expertise to monitor the works from an archaeological perspective, ensuring that any finds were interpreted and recorded, thus helping to further inform their understanding about the site. A number of items were found during the works including the top of a staddle stone. Staddle stones were historically used as supporting bases for granaries, hayricks and game larders. The former owner, Hugh Marsham-Townshend, used staddle stones as part of his remodelling of the island in the 1930s, with the example found being slightly damaged, and appearing to have been discarded. A plan of 1804 shows a granary off the island, where the air-raid shelter was built in the 1930s.
Works to the large cellar also revealed Tudor walling underneath the 1920s repair work, which was retained and new walling inserted. Through the works and oversight, ODAS were able to conclude that the cellar originally had two staircases one from the hall and the other towards the kitchen.
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Notes to editors:
The council’s contractor idverde, manage and maintain parks and greenspaces in partnership with Friends of Parks groups.
The Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS) is an active local volunteer archaeology group and registered charity. The society promotes the study of archaeology in the local area by undertaking excavations, carrying out research into the archaeology and history of the area and encouraging public interest through meetings and visits. ODAS has a licence from Bromley Council to carry out archaeological work at Scadbury Manor. For further information visit www.odas.org.uk
The Friends of Scadbury Park are a registered charity who work to enable residents and visitors to enjoy Scadbury Park.
Repair grants for heritage at risk
Historic England gives grants for the repair and conservation of listed buildings, scheduled monuments and registered parks and gardens. This includes project development actions which enable repair or improved future management. Our Heritage at Risk programme protects and manages the historic environment. The public body works with owners, friends groups, developers and other stakeholders to find solutions for ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England.
About Historic England
We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories these places tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all. We fundraise from individuals, charitable trusts and foundations and public sector bodies to enable us to deliver those aspects of our work that are not funded by our Government grant.
Purcell Architecture Ltd are a community of architects, masterplanners and heritage consultants www.purcelluk.com
Pierra Ltd are established as one of the leading companies within the specialist fields of building restoration, conservation and stone masonry www.pierra.co.uk
The Ecology Consultancy provides expert advice on wildlife issues for clients in all sectors www.ecologyconsultancy.co.uk/
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.