The Institute of Historic Building Conservation hosted a day for its members at Knole House in Sevenoaks. Knole is run by the National Trust which is currently undertaking a programme of major repairs and conservation to the structure, fabric, contents and furnishings of the house. The members heard speakers from the National Trust and English Heritage amongst others which gave an insight into the approaches and techniques involved in this project. The plan to rebuild the barn roof was the subject of much debate between English Heritage, Sevenoaks District Council and the National Trust as there were suggestions that a contemporary design might be appropriate. Fortunately the consensus of opinion was that as the roof will be a very large and visible structure, and since there is plenty of pictorial evidence to prove what it looked like, it should be rebuilt as the original using the wonderful palette of materials already present at Knole and thus blending in harmoniously with its neighbours.
Conservation visit to Knole Park – October 2013
