Wray Castle Restoration Project

March

Restoring the Glasshouse at Wray

After years of exposure to the elements, the beautiful glasshouse at Wray is receiving some much-needed care. The National Trust’s Specialist Craft Centre (SCC) for joinery and carpentry, now based in Altrincham, is leading the conservation of one of the most damaged window units.

This intricate work began in 2024, when the first window was carefully removed and brought to the SCC workshop. Led by experienced craftsperson Stephen Holt, and supported by apprentice Paddy Boyle, the team is using traditional joinery techniques to retain as much original timber as possible. Severely decayed sections are being replaced with specially selected timber, spliced seamlessly into the existing frame.

The ironmongery, including pivot hinges and stays, was either missing or heavily corroded. These are now being recreated by a blacksmith at Fountains Abbey, where our masonry team is also based.

This project is part of a broader mission to preserve heritage skills. The SCC, one of ten across the country, plays a vital role in training the next generation of craftspeople. Apprentices Billy Burns and Paddy Boyle are gaining hands-on experience, both in the workshop and on-site, helping to ensure these skills live on.

The glasshouse window is now back in place welcoming light, air, and hopefully soon, plants once more. Some of the remaining windows will also be going to the SCC through the year for repair.

April

The Footman’s Lodge: A Hidden Gem Restored

Tucked beneath the grand porte-cochère (carriage porch) at Wray Castle lies a small but fascinating space—the Footman’s Lodge. Originally built between 1840 and 1847 as part of James and Margaret Dawson’s lavish holiday estate, this turreted room once served as the post for Wray’s footman.

Designed in the Gothic Revival style by architect John Jackson Lightfoot, the lodge was fitted with a fireplace to keep the footman warm during long evenings awaiting carriages. By day, he would have managed deliveries, greeted guests, and handled correspondence—an essential role in the smooth running of the estate.

Over time, the room fell out of use and by the 1920s had become a simple store. Now, thanks to a generous donation, the Footman’s Lodge has been beautifully restored. It is once again open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the working life of a grand Victorian household.

This restoration, alongside the nearby glasshouse, is part of our ongoing work to care for and share Wray Castle’s unique heritage while the main interior undergoes essential conservation.

June 2025

Understanding the Floors at Wray Castle

To help plan for future use of Wray Castle’s ground floor spaces, structural engineers from Mann Williams and EATec Dynamics have carried out dynamic floor load testing throughout the building. This innovative, non-invasive method uses a portable device to gently vibrate the floor, while sensors measure how the structure responds.

The results give us a clear picture of how much weight each room can safely support—vital information for placing heavy museum displays or welcoming more visitors. Encouragingly, most rooms were found to be structurally sound, with a safe load capacity of up to 2.0 kN/m².

This work is part of our ongoing efforts to care for Wray Castle’s historic fabric while planning for its future use.