Find out more about the work of our multidisciplinary team at the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio, and how we help care for a large number of objects from National Trust properties across the country. Read a case study on one of our most famous restoration items: the Knole Sofa, dating back to the 17th century.
The Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio supports National Trust properties through the conservation of their collections.
We help care for around one million objects, across 200 National Trust properties.
We are a multidisciplinary team, specialising in the conservation treatment of the decorative arts, including paintings, frames, furniture, ceramics and glass.
Through our conservators’ specialist knowledge and skills, we examine and treat objects to preserve them for future generations, whilst adding considerably to their understanding.
The 15th-century barn at Knole that we work in is an airy, open-plan workspace for the treatment and research of objects.
Our approach is unique to the historic house environment, and we are developing pioneering treatments for the conservation of collections.
We are part of a much bigger conservation community and enjoy working with our conservator colleagues across the Trust, playing a distinct role within the holistic care and collections conservation.
The multidisciplinary nature of our team allows conservators to work within their specialisms, as well as collaboratively with one another.
Staff are either accredited by our professional body The Institute of Conservation, or working towards accreditation.
Unique to the National Trust, the conservation studio is open to the public, where our day-to-day activities can be seen.
When we are open, studio guides are always on hand to help you see objects from new perspectives, and give you an understanding of what we are trying to achieve through our work.
As we take in National Trust collections and objects from all over the country, it gives you the opportunity to see objects from other properties you may otherwise never have visited.
From 16 May at 9pm tune in to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer to see the latest series 3 of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust. The programme will feature many of our experts at work across 6 episodes as we show viewers how we conserve beautiful pieces from across the UK.
Ham House, Surrey
Located in the North Drawing Room of Ham House from 1677, these chairs are carved with entwined gilded dolphins and covered in mid-17th century silk damask from France. Eleven upholstered chairs are being conserved as part of a five-year project funded by the Royal Oak Foundation.
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Discover what you can see and do at the unique Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio, plus more about the distinctive building.
Discover the history of this centuries-old building up to the present day, including the damaging fire of 1887 and its rebirth as the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio.
