Caring for Lanhydrock

Cleaning the chandelier at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Lanhydrock house is full of many beautiful things which should be enjoyed by everyone, not just today but for many years to come. To make sure this happens we have a dedicated conservation team who daily clean and inspect the house and collections, maintaining them in all their glory.

Preventative conservation

Light can be a real destroyer, fading fabrics and paintings, especially watercolours. Monitoring light levels is one of the ways we can protect the collection, and is a major undertaking. Lanhydrock’s windows are fitted with conservation blinds which are adjusted throughout the day according to how sunny it is in each room.

Adjusting the blinds
A member of teh conservation team adjusts the blinds at Lanhydrock house, Cornwall
Adjusting the blinds

Annual levels of light are measured with little blue wool squares (called dosimeters) which you can see in the rooms around the house, placed on vulnerable items.

Winter deep cleaning

In the winter months the house is ‘put to bed’ and closed for visitors except for special events. While the house sleeps, the conservation team are hard at work deep cleaning.

Can you guess where she is?
A conservation assistant cleaning under a bed at Lanhydrock
Can you guess where she is?
You can't work here if you're afraid of heights...
Conservation assistants on scaffolding at Lanhydrock
You can't work here if you're afraid of heights...

Museum vacuum cleaners are used for carpets, curtains and every nook and cranny around Lanhydrock, including all of its intricate plasterwork. The brass and silver ware are polished to perfection, books are brushed clean and costumes are condition checked.

Taking a closer look
A conservation assistant takes a closer look at a book at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Taking a closer look

 

A conservation volunteer helping map the mosaic floor at Lanhydrock
Lanhydrock   Cornwall

How are you helping us?

Behind the scenes we're busy working to preserve and protect Lanhydrock so that we can share the place and its stories with people for generations to come. Our conservation projects cover all areas of the house, garden and estate. So, what are we up to?

Read the list