This weekend marked a momentous occasion with the formal unveiling of The Camellia House, a Grade II*-listed conservatory nestled within the Gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse. Following the extensive £5 million restoration effort, the doors will swing open to the public on April 2nd 2024, revealing the transformation of this historical gem into a charming tea room.

Despite its condition, the Camellia House was found to contain camellias dating back to the early 1800s, making them some of the oldest in the Western world. Last summer, Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund funded a year-long project to protect these historic plants. The project involved repairing and transforming the Camellia House into a global tea house.

Safer Sphere is proud to have provided Client CDM Assurance to the Wentworth Woodhouse Trust and Principal Designer support to Donald Insall Associates. The delicate nature of the camellias necessitated a unique construction approach, with building work carefully orchestrated around the flourishing flora. Jonathan King, Director at Insall, reminisces fondly about navigating the verdant pathways of Wentworth Woodhouse alongside the resident gardener, plotting a temporary construction access route through the gardens. Despite the occasional downpour, the collaborative effort proved immensely rewarding.

On April 2nd, 2024, The Camellia House will open its doors to visitors. This project is a result of the collaboration between the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, Donald Insall Associates, David Trevis-Smith, William Birch & Sons Ltd, Mason Clark Associates, Max Fordham LLP, Safer Sphere, Hirst Conservation Ltd, Hoare Lea, and The Standard.