Osbourne House Terraces

After the success of the last 2 projects at Osborne House CRL Restoration was afforded the opportunity of tendering for the restoration of the lower and upper terraces. CRL Restoration was successful in their tender and work began in January 2017.

Scope of works:

• • doff cleaning
  • erection of tented weather protection
  • removal and replacement of lime render
  • grouting of cracks in render
  • removal and replacement of featured rendered mouldings
  • restoration of featured rendered items: urns, balls and statues
  • removal and replacement of limestone steps
  • lifting of existing stone steps, building new foundations and relaying of steps
  • removal, waterproofing and re-laying existing flagstones
  • painting render with lime wash
  • groundwork: trenches for new services
    
    supervision of  the following:-
    • removal and replacement of brass statues
    • restoration of Andromeda’s fountain
    • restoration of the shell alcove

Starting an external restoration contract in the middle of winter had its challenges, – tented weather protection had to be erected to shelter the operatives and the working areas, and all materials had to be carefully applied so as not to freeze. Once any repair activity had started the working area had to be protected from the elements right through to the end of the curing process.

The majority of the work was carried out by local labour that CRL Restoration had got to know over the last 2 projects. CRL Restoration worked with the Isle of White College and offered training places to students. Theses were taken up by students studying masonry and decoration. CRL Restoration sees the use of local labour and students as part of our sustainability ethos, and this was welcomed by English Heritage and by the management of Osborne House.

Crick Smith/ Lincoln University and The Fountain Company were employed directly by English Heritage to undertake the restoration of the shell alcove, and the restoration of The Andromeda fountain, both under the supervision of CRL Restoration.

Once the work was all completed in June 2017 the Lower terraces were open to the public for the first time in many years.