NICK COX ARCHITECTS

Project Name: The Hermitage

Location: Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire

Client : National Trust

Building Period: C.1762

Listing Status:  GII listed building within GI Listed Park and Garden.

Construction Value: C. £90,000

 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston-hall/features/restoring-kedlestons-hermitage-a-room-for-gloom

Built in 1762-3 the Hermitage is the only remaining ‘incident’ within the 18th Century Robert Adam ‘Long Walk’ landscape at Kedleston Hall.

Having gradually fallen into disrepair and lost its roof, the Hermitage had spent the most recent 20 years of its life encased in a protective scaffolding cover, upon which it had begun to lean. Along with the activities of local wildlife, the adjacent plane tree had become so large that it had undermined the buildings structure; even though the tree was originally as an adjunct to the Hermitage.

 After three years of in-depth archive research, discussion with the National Trust, and input from the Local Authority to establish the best conservation approach; we were appointed to engage specialists in material science, engineering, archeology and ecology to inform the final repair of this wonderful little building. Following this, we were engaged to oversee the stabilisation of the fabric and repair of this building to its former glory, including installation of a new roof structure and thatch.

The project aimed to preserve the remaining delicate fabric of the Hermitage, to restore the lost elements to match their earliest archival record, and ensure visitors to the parkland could enjoy and understand this building as it was originally intended for many years to come.

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