Completed Restoration Work

Phase One: North Front and Colonnades

The first and largest of the six phases of restoration - the North Front and Colonnades - was completed at a cost of £5.8 million, having begun in July 2000 and taken two years. It was thanks to the generosity of many donors and grant-making trusts, especially the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with English Heritage, the Getty Grant Programme and Shanksfirst Fund (Landfill Tax Credit Scheme), that the restoration was achieved to such a high standard. 

Phase Two: Central Pavilion and Marble Saloon

This was begun in April 2003 and comprised of work to the roofs and south front of the Central Pavilion. Nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century cast iron water tanks were removed from the roof where they sat above the plastered dome. The roof was then recovered with new lead and slate.

Whilst work was being carried out on the exterior of the house, the opportunity arose to also restore the interior of the Marble Saloon. This was thanks to a challenge from a generous US philanthropist, through the World Monuments Fund, who was particularly keen that this magnificent interior should be restored while making safe its supporting structure. He matched pound-for-pound donations received from UK sources - from both individuals and grant-making trusts.

Inside the Marble Saloon repairs to the plasterwork, scagliola columns and the marble floor started in July 2003 and was completed in July 2006. In September 2009 the final touches - a set of replica classical statues - were installed.

Phase Three: Large Library

Whilst fundraising for the third phase of restoration, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the Large Library and Ante-Library urgently needed restoring. A flat roof had been installed by the cash-strapped Lady Kinloss in the early twentieth century. Over the last century, water had leaked through and damaged the delicate plasterwork and timber framework. Students had been studying under a huge green net catching the falling plaster for years.

Throughout 2009/2010 a new pitched roof was installed, and the plasterwork restored. Loose rosettes were secured and replaced where necessary. Paint analysis concluded that elements of the ceiling were originally gilded, a feature that has been replicated. Finally, the floor, mahogany bookcases and marble hearths were restored, and the Library welcomed back students in September 2010.

Click here for more photos of the Library restoration

Egyptian Hall

The Egyptian Hall was restored during the Summer of 2011 and turned out to be one of the most interesting restoration projects carried out by SHPT.

A century of white paint had obscurred much of the frieze relief and the original niches and windows had been boarded up shortly before the School moved in. As the paint was removed a textured surface was discovered on the walls and wooden columns. This was recreated up to the frieze. The niches and windows have been opened up, ready to receive a set of replica canvases and glass panels with depictions of Egyptian figures and hieroglyphs.

The plinths at the bottom of the stairs will shortly be occupied by a pair of sphinx statues, and a mock-sarcophagus will be recreated according to a surviving sketch and reinstalled in the apse.

This project was funded by generous donors with the assistence of World Monuments Fund Britain.