Ludlow Castle chapel roof restored - with pictures
Ludlow Castle’s picturesque castle chapel has a new look, after its restored roof was unveiled.
More than three years of planning have gone into the project to restore the roof of the Norman Chapel.
The roof at the standalone chapel, which lies in the castle's inner bailey, needed to be repaired after falling into ruin.
Sonja Belchere, the castle custodian, has been working with the Mortimer History Society on planning several projects focusing on the chapel.
She said: "The work is to protect the fabric of the chapel and increase its longevity for future generations to enjoy. It will also provide an all-weather wedding venue.
"Historic England have said they really value the estate's work at the castle, and are hugely impressed with the conservation project on the chapel that has been an exemplary use of traditional materials and techniques.
"The building's significance has been sympathetically presented such that new uses and experience of it have been enabled."
The new roof was unveiled by the 8th Earl of Powis, John Herbert, and Lady Helen Powis cut the ribbon to declare the new-look chapel open.
The contract for the work was given to Shropshire builders Phillips & Curry, who specialise in conservation, conversion and intervention.
They and the team at the castle worked with Historic England, and architect Mike Garner from Garner Southall has been researching roof structures of the time to inform the work. They created the new roof using stone and mortar that will distinguish it from the original work.
Built off-site, the new roof was taken to the castle in sections and assembled there.
