Sunnycroft. National Trust Property

Sunnycroft is a somewhat unusual National Trust property. It is a large Victorian villa, built in the 1920s within the grounds of what could almost be described as a mini country estate.

However, despite its grand setting, it is located within the Shropshire town of Wellington.The house and grounds were originally developed in the 1920s by a brewer and his family. (More details to be added.)

Victorian Greenhouse Restoration

Within the grounds of Sunnycroft, close to the house, lies a fine and complete example of a Victorian-built greenhouse. In recent years, due to settlement issues, the greenhouse had deteriorated to a state of near collapse. Recognizing its historical significance, the National Trust developed a comprehensive restoration plan to prevent further deterioration and preserve the building for future generations.

In August 2021, Phillips & Curry won the contract for the restoration works through a competitive tender process.

Scope of Works

A full scaffold with a temporary roof was erected around the entire building to provide complete weather protection for the duration of the restoration. The project’s structural engineer conducted a site visit, and after additional strutting and propping, the building was stabilized to ensure structural integrity before further works commenced.

All 300 panes of roof glass were carefully removed and marked, allowing for precise reordering and refitting in their original positions.

Sections of the hip members were repaired or replaced where necessary, and the wall plates were carefully jacked up as close as possible to their original geometry. Some brick wall repairs and rebuilding were required. To prevent future movement, a series of heavy-gauge stainless steel brackets were installed at the wall junctions with the greenhouse’s sole plates. Once secured, the hip blades were carefully refitted.

Rather than opting for full replacement, careful splice repairs were carried out on the majority of the existing slender glazing bars and rafters, preserving as much of the original structure as possible. Additionally, the original cast iron window winding gears were overhauled and restored to full working order.

Once the timber structure was fully renovated, all 300 glass panes were refitted and reglazed using traditional linseed oil putty. After allowing time for the putty to fully cure, the decorators undertook the meticulous task of painting the entire structure, ensuring a faithful restoration of its original appearance.

Additional Works

To prevent future settlement issues, new storm drains were installed to ensure the ground surrounding the greenhouse remained properly drained and stable. It was believed that excessive ground saturation had contributed to the original structural movement.

Finally, the original paviours and edging were relaid along the pathways, completing the restoration and reinstating the greenhouse’s historic charm and functionality.