Pictures: Shrewsbury's Attingham Park stately home solves a leaky problem
After more than 200 years with a leaky roof, a piece of Shropshire's history is finally being protected – by a modern glass structure.
Staff at Attingham Park's 18th century Georgian mansion are celebrating the transformation of its picture gallery.
The roof – which has leaked ever since the picture gallery was first added to the building in 1807 – was created by Regency architect John Nash. But he was never known for being a perfectionist, said Attingham curator Sarah Kay.
"He was really known as flashy but flawed – he wanted a lot of theatrical effects but often cut corners and didn't think about the consequences of the corners he cut," she said.
The roof over the Grade I-listed picture gallery was built using cast iron and curved glass to give throw light into the gallery below, but it let in the water. Now, after a three-year construction project, the gallery is covered by a modern glass roof, revealing the original architecture.
Mrs Kay said: "It goes over the top of the whole thing, it is almost like putting it in a glass box. It is the biggest and most expensive project we have taken on at Attingham so far."
The scheme is part of 'Attingham Re-discovered Goes Through The Roof' and has cost nearly £2 million from start to finish.
The roof build – including blinds, light protective shields and professional fees – cost £1.4 million. A further £500,000 has been spent on the interior space.
Mrs Kay said: "There has been masses of work done to conserve the interior below the new roof. We have wanted to be very transparent about the project with our visitors. The doors have been open throughout the project and the visitors have been able to come in when it is safe and see what is going on."
But from tomorrow the Georgian mansion will open the picture gallery to reveal the completed work.
The 67 paintings have been re-hung and the scrolling metal balustrade that sweeps up the grand staircase has been re-gilded.
The mansion will now be open from 11am every day until November 6.
The gallery contains the largest collection of work by German artist Jakob Philipp Hackert outside of Russia and Germany.
Mrs Kay said: "It is very emotional to be unveiling it all. We are so excited to be showing everyone and relieved that it has all finished and worked well."
More details at www.nationaltrust.org/attinghampark or call 0845 2491895.
