We have successfully completed the extensive refurbishment and external repairs to four Duchy of Cornwall properties in Somerset following a 3-month project of essential repairs. The three terraced properties, Tyde Cottages in Newton St Loe, and Tudor Farm and its outbuildings in Chew Valley Lake, have undergone meticulous restorations to preserve their rich heritage. A further property, Farrington Farm in Radstock is scheduled to undergo restoration and repairs during March of this year.

The £225,000 project, which commenced in mid-2023, addressed various aspects of the properties' structural integrity and aesthetics. Our team of heritage-trained craftsmen carried out stone works, roofing repairs, joinery, and redecorations to bring these cherished sites back to their former glory.

The Duchy of Cornwall (Cornish: Duketh Kernow) stands as one of the two royal duchies in England, with the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. Spanning 20 counties in England and Wales, the Duchy of Cornwall holds land, predominantly situated in the southwest of England, extending from Devon to Kent and Carmarthenshire to Nottinghamshire. Despite its name, the majority of the Duchy's land is not located in Cornwall.

Tyde Cottages in Newton St Loe, Somerset
The restoration work at Tyde Cottages in Newton St Loe involved intricate stone works, including repairing and repointing local stone using traditional methods using non-hydraulic lime mortar in keeping with each building and to withstand more exposure to the elements. Roofing repairs addressed leaks to preserve the interior spaces. Joinery uses an ultra-high performance sustainable wood, Accoya, which is produced through a process of wood acetylation to improve its technical properties, including restoring traditional wooden elements such as windows, doors and beams. The final touch was a meticulous redecoration to enhance the visual appeal of the cottages to a traditional off-grey colour scheme outside and pastel colours inside.

Tudor Farm, outbuildings and Bungalow, Chew Valley Lake, Somerset
Tudor Farm a farmer's House in Somerset, is a working agricultural farm for crops and livestock and home to its tenants located in Somerset. The internal and external repairs included traditional stone works to repair and rebuild elements of the external walls. Structural roofing repairs were completed to protect the architecture from the elements. Specialist joinery and carpentry replaced wooden windows like for like, fixed fencing and gates, all of which were preserved and decorated to highlight the unique features of the farm while maintaining its authenticity.

Both projects are highly commended by the Duchy’s estate and are a testament to our team’s finesses in completing these projects, satisfying the Duchy’s high standard of workmanship.

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