Frequent visitors to Wimpole, either walking in the park or viewing the Gothic Folly from the garden, will have noticed that during 2014-15 it has been enveloped in scaffolding whilst undergoing major conservation work undertaken by Cliveden Conservation.
Made possible through funding from DEFRAs Higher Level Scheme (HLS) managed by Natural England, the conservation of the tower structure, stonework and the reinstatement of the crenellation on top of the tower was just one part of the project. At the same time, further funding from the National Trust allowed the reinstatement of the windows, doors and external rear staircase.
In June 1749 Sanderson Miller was asked by George Lyttelton to design a ruined Gothic castle for his friend Lord Hardwicke. Although designed at this time, the ruin was not built until years later when ‘Capability’ Brown was employed by Hardwicke to landscape the North Park.
Since its completion in 1772 and later conversion to the Game keepers cottage in 1805, up until the late 1920’s it was in use, this kept the building alive and in some ways in good order. The following decades had seen a rapid deterioration, especially in the 1970’s when the roof collapsed causing water to allow the rot and decay to take hold. Added to this over 15 years of pigeons using the inside as a pigeon roost we see those fine spaces intended to be appreciated by the 2nd Earl of Hardwick in 1772 and later the game keeper in need of emergency repair to stabilise and secure them.
During the project, access was allowed onto the scaffold for the first time at Wimpole and visitors could see spectacular views across the park as well as seeing the conservation work up close.
A celebration was held in July 2015 to mark the completion of the conservation of the Gothic tower and it glistened in the summer sunshine with many visitors enjoying picnics music and dance, making it once again a place of entertainment. With further plans to install seating and to landscape around the structure the Gothic Folly will once again become a focal point in the park.
2016 marks the 300th year since ‘Capability’ Browns birth, so Wimpole’s North Park and the Gothic Folly will be the backdrop to celebrations at Wimpole throughout the year, joining many other heritage sites to mark the work of this remarkable landscape designer.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole
