By George, what a splendid makeover
A stately Georgian home in the heart of South Staffordshire has won a prestigious award following an extensive restoration project.
A stately Georgian home in the heart of South Staffordshire has won a prestigious award following an extensive restoration project.
Chillington Hall in Port Lane, Brewood, has received this year's Historic Houses Association/Sotheby's Restoration Award.
See more pics of Chillington Hall in our gallery below.
It beat off strong competition from 35 entries across the UK to win the £5,000 prize.
Chillington Hall has been the home of the Giffard family for more than 800 years. Current residents are John and Crescent Giffard, aged 57 and 54.
They have lived there for more than 10 years.
Mr Giffard, a former chief constable of Staffordshire Police, inherited Chillington Hall from his father, John Giffard senior.
He is the 29th generation Giffard to live at Chillington Hall.
He said: "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award. We have been progressively re-roofing and redecorating this family home and it is a labour of love.
"We particularly pay tribute to our architects Horsley Huber and all the craftsmen and women involved."
The restoration award is in its second year and was launched to recognise and celebrate restoration work.
The judging panel included architectural historian John Martin Robinson, Historic Houses Association (HHA) president Edward Harley, Sotheby's UK chairman James Stourton, and David Moore-Gwyn, deputy chairman of Sotheby's UK.
The hall's most recent project was the restoration of Sir John Soane's front hall and the saloon.
The saloon features a large central oval dome and lantern, which was in urgent need of repair.
Its renovation saw the repair of damaged timber, lead and glass as well as the commission of a bespoke chandelier. The saloon was redecorated.
Edward Harley, HHA president said: "The extensive work carried out by John and Crescent Giffard at Chillington Hall breathes new life into the elegant rooms and has been done to a very high standard."
The hall will be open to the public this Sunday and every Wednesday to Sunday in August at 2pm-5pm. Call 01902 850236 for details.
Mark Pearce from Wolverhampton company Rochelle Cleaning, uses the huge brush to clean the windows at Chillington Hall.
Mark Pearce from Wolverhampton company Rochelle Cleaning, uses the huge brush to clean the windows at Chillington Hall.
John Giffard and wife Crescent, in the room at Chillington Hall, Brewood, which has been received a restoration award.
