The conservatory was a key part of the additions and improvements that were made right at the end of the 19th century by apirational owner, Mary Jane Slaney, widow of a successful wine and spirit merchant in Wellington.
Mrs Slaney grew prize-winning exotic ferns, and it is highly likely that the ferns would have been produced in the high-status Halliday Conservatory. She is listed as a member of the Shropshire Horticultural Society in 1906 and programmes for the Royal Agricultural Society’s (Shrewsbury) show and Shrewsbury Flower Show of 1914 are in Sunnycroft’s archive.
Mrs Slaney also extended the house by adding the large reception rooms on the ground floor, including the Billiard Room and turret wing on the east side.
Interestingly, the glazed cast iron ‘porch’ over the front door in the turret was provided by R. Halliday & Co, as were the iron and glazed-roof veranda across the whole of the south front overlooking the garden. Mrs Slaney also added the Drawing Room bay with french windows to be better able to view the conservatory.
Update: May 2021
Over recent years the team at Sunnycroft have been raising funds to conserve and restore this special building and thanks to generous donations from visitors, supporters, and legacies the project is now underway.
The conservation work will be taking place in situ at Sunnycroft, as well as offsite in specialist craft workshops and is expected to be completed in early September.
Fundraising continues for the project, and visitors to Sunnycroft can make a donation when they visit, or make a donation online using the link below.
Update: July 2021
Raising the roof and investigations under ground.
The main frame of the conservatory is both heavy and fragile and so while work is taking place, scaffolding has been put up around the structure to enable access, provide weather protection, and aid stability.