Rufford Abbey is the best-preserved remains of a Cistercian abbey west cloister range in England. Dating mainly from around 1170 it sustained a community of monks up until its suppression in 1536, at which point the Abbey’s west range was converted into a private house. In the 17th century, the complex was developed considerably, including construction of the stable block and Jacobean block which survive in good condition on site today.
Nottinghamshire County Council bought the Abbey and park in 1952, and the north and east wings were demolished in 1956. Rufford Abbey Country Park is now a popular tourist attraction. However, the Abbey west range itself has been closed to visitors for over a year due to unsafe ruinous condition. Simpson & Brown is currently appointed to specify a scheme of repair and consolidation including a new waterproofing solution to reverse the effect of moisture ingress to the C12th Fratery undercroft.
| Project name: | Rufford Abbey | ||
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| Client name: | English Heritage | ||
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Mavisbank
Funding is currently being sought to partially restore the house to provide a watertight shell. It is intended that the two pavilions will be converted to a small holiday let and the other to creative arts workshops with exhibition space.
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Priory Doocot
All three disciplines of Simpson & Brown - architecture, heritage consultancy and archaeology - were involved in the repair and restoration of this category A listed, 16th century beehive-shaped doocot near the sea shore in Crail.
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Thomson's Tower
Thomson's Tower is a restored octagonal curling house by W H Playfair, built for the Duddingston Curling Society in 1825. It is located on the north side of Duddingston Loch to the south-east of Edinburgh.
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