Major work is underway at the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate in Berkhamsted to clean nearly 200 years of dirt from the 32-metre Bridgewater Monument.
The grand Grade II* listed building was constructed in 1832 in memory of Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater. Each year, around 15,000 visitors climb the 172 steps to the top of the monument to enjoy incredible views of Wembley Stadium and Canary Wharf.
Now, alongside conservation architects Purcell, a project is underway to repair the neo-Classical granite obelisk. This follows the company’s detailed condition survey of the monument in 2022.
With the last major works carried out in the 1980s, the monument now requires significant internal and external masonry repairs. This includes repointing, cleaning, and restoring the internal spiral staircase, and metalwork repairs to the gates and railings.
A team of specialist conservation cleaners and masons will work on 27-metre-high scaffolding to carry out the repairs and steam clean the historic granite.
The monument will be closed while the work is underway, with an expected reopening date of spring next year.
Josh Kyle, visitor and experiences manager for Ashridge Estate, said: “Although repairs have been carried out over the years, it’s believed to be the first time the granite column has ever been cleaned.
“The column is made from Cornish granite, which is particularly pale, so it’s going to be quite a transformation once it’s been cleaned.”
Photo Credit: Ruth McKegney
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