For more than 260 years, the Stables Clock Tower has stood above Chatsworth’s historic Great Stables, designed by James Paine for the 4th Duke of Devonshire. But like every historic building at Chatsworth, it requires careful and ongoing conservation.

In this film, Rob takes us behind the scenes of a major restoration project, revealing the extensive structural deterioration uncovered within the tower, the skilled work undertaken to repair it, and the £1.8 million investment by Chatsworth House Trust to secure its future.

Video Transcript

The clock tower has been welcoming people to Chatsworth for more than 260 years. It forms part of the Great Stables, designed by James Paine for the 4th Duke of Devonshire in the eighteenth century, at the same time as nearby landmarks such as Paine’s Bridge. Today it's one of the most recognisable features of the estate.

But preserving a building of this age requires constant care, and in recent years the tower has been the focus of a major conservation project by Chatsworth House Trust, the charity that cares for the house, collections, garden and landscape.

When we started investigating the condition of the tower, we discovered some significant structural problems. Over many years, water had found its way into parts of the building and caused extensive decay in the timber structure.

Once we uncovered the full extent of the damage, it became clear that repairing small sections wouldn't be enough. Large areas of timber had to be completely replaced to secure the tower's future.

The restoration formed part of a wider programme of conservation work, with nearly £1.8 million invested by Chatsworth House Trust in repairs to the tower.

Alongside the timber replacement, we carried out repairs to the roof, stonework and other structural elements, always with the aim of making the building more resilient for years to come.

For the Chatsworth House Trust charity, this kind of work is essential. It's how we care for these historic buildings and ensure they're still here for future generations to enjoy.

One of the most satisfying parts of the project has been seeing the tower brought back to life. All four clock faces have been restored, and the bell is once again chiming on the hour.

The repairs might not be obvious to every visitor, but they'll help protect this building for decades to come; and that's exactly what the Chatsworth House Trust’s conservation programme is all about.