Hounslow Council and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust welcome the addition of the Grade I listed Chiswick House and Gardens Conservatory to Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register.
The conservatory is a much-loved historic glasshouse dating back to 1813. It was added to the Register following an assessment of its condition, which highlights the fragility of the 1930s timber and glass structure and the need for major conservation work.
Owned by Hounslow Council and operated by Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, the conservatory has been a focal point for the one million visitors who enjoy the gardens every year and have done so for generations. While the building has undergone several restorations, its unique design and age mean that ongoing repairs can no longer keep pace with the effects of weathering, such as increased rainfall and higher temperatures.
The work necessary to fully to preserve the conservatory needs specialist conservation expertise and significant investment expected to cost several millions of pounds. The new Heritage at Risk status enables the Council and the Trust to approach a wider range of funding sources and partners to help deliver a sustainable solution for this unique structure.
Both organisations are working to protect the conservatory and have already taken steps to safeguard its historic character. Earlier this year, the Trust completed the sensitive conservation and repurposing of the original Victorian working areas behind the glass and timber of the conservatory, turning them into artist studios. This Community and Creative Campus opened in May and is now used by 18 local artists.
Cllr Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, said: “We welcome the inclusion of the conservatory on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register. While that might sound slightly alarming and a strange thing to welcome, it's actually what's needed to for us to access the vital funding needed for repairs. This nearly century-old building saw major repairs in the 1950s, 90s and in 2008, and the Council has funded annual repairs since 2020.
“However, the full restoration needed to secure its future for generations to come will cost millions of pounds. We hope that the conservatory’s new status on the At Risk Register will help us and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust to secure the necessary grant funding to return the conservatory to its former glory.”
Xanthe Arvanitakis, Director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, said “The glasshouse is an iconic and beautiful garden building that links our formal and productive gardens and provides a stunning focal point for visitors.
“Chiswick House and Gardens Trust has implemented the first stages of a sustainable, long-term approach to its future with the creation of these artists’ studios. We are committed to developing a sustainable approach to the glassed building, learning from the recent past, mindful of future challenges and with the local community’s involvement and benefit at its heart.”
Chris Laine, Landscape Architect at Historic England, said "The Heritage at Risk Register draws attention to historic places in need and helps bring partners together to explore opportunities for repair and renewal.
“The conservatory is not an easy structure to maintain and its condition reflects issues inherent in the unique design and materials. We're working closely with Hounslow Council and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust to find a way forward to secure the whole building's future, building on the excellent work done to transform the Victorian working areas into artists' studios."
