Dolbelydr

Project Info

Dolbelydr is a fine 16th century stone manor house set in a valley of the River Elwy in Wales. It had been a roofless, flourless ruin for several decades.

Despite this, the Welsh oak structure was still incredibly strong and it was decided to retain as much of the fabric as possible. Careful examination of the surviving material, and of drawings and photographs, allowed timbers to be reused and the structure reconstructed.

‘The conservative repair approach has resulted in difficult and complex jointing that has been carried out with great skill,’ the judges say.

New ends were spliced on to the joists and roof trusses; principal beams were repaired with flitch plates; and a rotten main beam was hollowed out and given a new core.

Other rescued elements include the original timber mullioned and transomed windows and a plank and muntin screen.

New oak windows, floors and doors were made by Carpenter Oak & Woodland Oak Co to match the existing.