Historic Ludlow hotel room restored to its glory

It's survived one civil war, two world wars and hundreds of years of history, but a simple bath almost destroyed one of Ludlow's most valuable assets.

But now, after extensive restoration work, the James I room at The Feathers Hotel – which is described as being 'as rare as the Mona Lisa'- has been painstakingly restored to its former state of grandeur.

The hotel's managers were faced with serious damage after a guest left a bath running above the room, which dates back to the 1600s.

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Water poured from the tub and flowed through floorboards, soaking into the Jacobean plasterwork of the ceiling below.

Feathers boss Ian Taylor was left to pick up the pieces and hired plasterer Stuart Preece and his son Greg to return the room to its original splendour.

The pair worked for three months, finally completing the restoration in February.

And their hard work and Mr Taylor's faith were rewarded on Tuesday when Shropshire Council and Ludlow conservation advisory committee gave the hotel a restoration award.

Mr Preece, who has appeared on television for his craftsmanship, said: "Me and my son worked on the room for months.

"You could compare the ceiling to a Rembrandt, to the Mona Lisa. The Jacobean strapwork ceiling was covered with natural decorations like leaves and grapes.

"The ceiling is so rare, it's priceless. Its something the area and the entire country should be proud of.

"Because the building is Grade I-listed every single thing we did had to be checked by restoration officers. Even the nails removed from floor boards had to be bagged."

Mr Taylor said the unfortunate incident had occurred two years ago and he was delighted to have the room restored.