The once-derelict Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse has been named the only UK winner of the prestigious Europa Nostra Award, which recognises the highest standards in heritage intervention.
Originally constructed in 1738 as a tea house for the first Marchioness of Rockingham, Lady Mary Finch, the Camellia House stood as the ultimate symbol of status and wealth. But by the 21st century, the site had fallen into decline, the camellias growing wild to heights of 30 feet.
Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust asked us to bring the site back to life, following a discovery that many of the 19 camellias were originals from the 1800s and therefore some of the oldest in the western world. Today, the Camellia House stands as a contemporary tearoom and multipurpose venue, where visitors can enjoy tea alongside the rare camellias, just as guests did in the 1800s. The site now has step-free access to all areas, an accessible WC and five disabled parking bays. A Changing Places facility has been installed in collaboration with Muscular Dystrophy UK, one of the first for a heritage site in the UK.
1500m of pipework was installed to support a ground source heat pump that works symbiotically with the thermal mass of the historic flagstone floors. A rainwater harvesting system has been installed, used for camellia irrigation and the WCs, reducing reliance on the mains water.
Since opening, the site has had over 8,800 visitors and has hosted a wide range of events. The opening of the tea house and restaurant has also generated 22 local hospitality jobs.
The Europa Nostra Awards jury, composed of 11 heritage experts from across Europe, said of the scheme:
“This restoration project removed The Camellia House from the heritage at risk register. The revival of a rare camellia collection and the integration of energy-efficient features demonstrate a balanced approach to horticultural, architectural and environmental heritage. By restoring cultural and social functions in an area affected by economic hardship, it contributes to regional regeneration through heritage.”
“We are bursting with pride to be heading to Brussels to receive this highly-respected European heritage award. An exceptional conservation team collaborated to take our Camellia House from a roofless wreck in danger of collapsing, back to its original grace and beauty - and vastly improved its sustainability and green credentials. The building, and the historically-important camellias which inhabit it, now have a long and lasting future. The Camellia House is now a thriving cafe and boosting income for the Trust.”
— Sarah McLeod OBE, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust
“Conservation is only successful if it enables a building or place's continued use and vitality. The story of the Camellia House, an important part of a wider transformation at Wentworth Woodhouse, is an example of long-term custodianship that not only revived what was an abandoned ruin, but was also a catalyst for lasting social impact. It is incredibly rewarding to see our client's vision to create an inclusive, world-class destination being recognised in Europe's most prestigious heritage award.”
— Dorian Proudfoot, chief executive of Donald Insall Associates