31st August 2021
The collapse
Partial ceiling collapse in Vita's Writing Room
Conservation Work on Vita's Writing Room
On 31st August 2021, the Tower Volunteer Steward heard a crash from the first floor of the Tower. What followed was an extensive process of meticulous conservation work to revive the room. Learn more about the process here.
Conservation Timeline
Seeing the results
The complex conservation project in the Writing Room was completed as of early 2023.
The project aimed to preserve this incredible space for generations to come.
The painstaking process saw the conservation of the ceiling and walls using slow-drying natural materials and techniques dating back to the Tower's Elizabethan origin. Meticulous analysis of the walls revealed Vita's original decorative scheme and her 1940s choice of a rosy pink distemper had been reinstated. Alongisde this building works were improvements to the lighting, heating and environmental controls in the room.
The process was featured in the first season of the BBC's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust on BBC Two. You will be able to catch up on any episodes missed on BBC iPlayer.
Shelf liners
The books are slid into place on shelf liners designed to ease the pressure on the bindings and prolong their life
1 of 2
The process to restore the Writing Room to its former glory has truly been a labour of love and would not have been possible without our fantastic property team, specialist conservators and surveyors. We are very proud of the conservation work that has been poured into its upkeep and we look forward to welcoming visitors back.
The history of Sissinghurst Castle Garden
From castle to prison, working farm to world-renowned garden, Sissinghurst's past is nothing but varied and each of its incarnations have added to its story.
