WELCOME TO ORLETON MANOR
Orleton Manor is a seventeenth century timber-framed manor house that sits close to the Herefordshire border and overlooks a stunning part of the countryside. It is formed of a main hall with two ranges extending to the rear and two stunning porches on its front elevation. It has a rich history as shown by the evolution of the timber-frame that forms it. Orleton Manor was designated as a Grade II* asset in 1959 which only works to cement its significance by considering it worthy of legislative protection.
Following the acquisition of the historic Orleton Manor in 2019, the Dearden family not only faced the feat of moving house but an extensive restoration project to ensure that the house would be capable of being a long-term family home.
Although Orleton Manor has been a well-loved building over the centuries, it has also been well-lived in. On first inspection, the house possesses the charm and circumstance of a large historic timber framed manor house. With age, however, comes wear-and-tear, timber decay and layers of inappropriate repairs – all of which are noticeable on close inspection.
The Deardens have embarked on the herculean task of reviving this historic manor house sympathetically and systematically. The aim is to repair the building, reverse bad quality workmanship and bring the building forward to suit twenty-first century living, without compromising the historic significance or the surviving fabric. This is neither an easy nor a quick feat to accomplish.
With a team of conservation-minded professionals working alongside the owners, Orleton Manor is being sensitively restored step-by-step and this blog will follow its journey.
Meet The Team
Head Stone Mason
Chris Lawrence
Lawrence Masonry is a small, highly skilled masonry company based in Bridgnorth Shropshire. Lawrence Masonry have worked on many of the UK's most important and prestigious buildings and also many private clients properties. They are trained in all aspects of stonemasonry, highly trained in the use of all lime mortars and pride themselves on are vast knowledge of the craft.
Heritage Plasterer
Charlie Short
South Wales Heritage Plaster work services are establishing themselves within the restoration and conservation industry focusing solely on repairing and restoring plaster work.
All the of methods & materials used are closely matched to suit the historic fabric of the building and be sympathetic to environment around us.
Roofer
Richard Jordan
Richard Jordan is a fully qualified and time-served roof slater and tiler, using traditional techniques and skills. Richard obtained a prestigious William Morris Craft Fellowship from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) in 1999, making him the first roof slater and tiler to do so. Richard also provides educational and training services to workforces to ensure that work is carried out to the highest quality.
Architect
Christian Montez
Montez Architecture uses digital techniques to create clear graphics that both help to record and understand heritage assets. This includes drone flights and photogrammetry scans. Montez Architecture Ltd have worked on a number of prestigious listed buildings across the country.