Bosses at Wentworth Woodhouse in the Village of Wentworth near Rotherham in South Yorkshire have revealed plans for the conversion of Grade II-listed Camellia House orangery. Almost 300 years ago, the Georgia orangery would have been used as a tea room, and now it is set to become a dining room once again.
BBC News reports that restorers are currently investigating the derelict building for dry rot, taking the unusual approach of using a specially trained dog, sprocker spaniel Pip, who, using similar techniques to drug and explosives dogs, can sniff out dry rot before it can be detected by humans.
Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust announced last year that it intended to restore the Georgian orangery and to preserve its rare camellias after groundskeepers and gardeners sensationally discovered the neglected plants while exploring the derelict building. Nineteen of the rare camellias imported in the 18th century still survive despite decades of neglect.
The Trust has now appointed architects for the scheme and released further details about the refurbishment.
Camellia House will become a daytime cafe for visitors to the grounds, and an evening events venue with the 18th-century specimens at its heart. While there has already been significant restoration and renovation work undertaken on the Grade I-listed mansion, this will be the first project to bring an ancillary building back into use.
When constructed in 1738, the estate was owned by the Marquess of Rockingham, and it was originally an orangery where exotic fruits from warmer climates were grown. The Marquess’ wife then created a tea room inside the orangery to entertain her guests.
The second Marquess was an avid collector of camellias, which were imported from China and Japan. The orangery was then converted into a home for his treasured plants, which remain some of the oldest examples in Europe.
The roof of the orangery had suffered extensive damage, and most of the remaining camellias had been exposed to the elements for decades. The surviving plants will have pride of place in the new cafe, having been forgotten about since the Fitzwilliam family rented the house out after World War Two.
Architects Donald Insall Associates are currently seeking planning permission from Rotherham Council, while Leeds-based quantity surveyors Rex Procter and Partners and project managers DTS Solutions have also won contracts.
There are further schemes to restore other outbuildings in the estate, which include converting the Riding School to a major conference and events venue, turning part of the stable block into retail space, and transforming Ostler’s House as guests accommodation.
Project manager David Trevis-Smith said: “We would love the public to share with us old photos and any memories they have of the Camellia House. As heritage specialists, we constantly learn about the buildings as we work on them, but there are things we will never find out from examining bricks and mortar.
“Having more pieces of the jigsaw will help us greatly in the planning process. Local people whose ancestors worked in the house and gardens, or who visited decades ago could hold fascinating nuggets of information.”
The work will be funded by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant awarded in 2019.
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