Canterbury City Council

Canterbury Castle

Classification

Scheduled Monument

Summary of Works

Erection of complex scaffolding and temporary works, providing safe access to high-level and fragile masonry areas while ensuring the protection of the historic fabric.
Careful removal of large embedded steel girders from within the historic flint and stone masonry walls. These intrusive elements, introduced during earlier interventions, had been built into the wall thickness, creating voids and disrupting the original masonry fabric.
Non-chemical vegetation removal and hazardous material clearance, undertaken to protect and preserve the surrounding historic stonework.
Consolidation of failing masonry using traditional lime-based mortars, carefully matched to ensure compatibility with the original materials.
Selective dismantling and rebuilding of unstable stone and flint masonry, reinstated using appropriate conservation techniques.
Installation of discreet stainless-steel anchors and tensioned wire systems to stabilise weakened areas while maintaining the building’s historic character.
Lead weathering and improved water-management measures, introduced to protect vulnerable masonry from ongoing rainwater ingress and environmental exposure.

Overall Description of Works

Essential conservation and structural works were undertaken to conserve this historically important structure, beginning with the erection of complex scaffolding and temporary works to provide safe access to high-level and fragile masonry while protecting the surrounding historic fabric.

A significant element of the project involved the careful removal of large embedded steel girders that had been introduced during earlier intrusive interventions. These girders had been built within the thickness of the historic flint and stone masonry walls, creating voids and disrupting the original fabric, and their removal required meticulous dismantling to avoid further damage. Non-chemical vegetation removal and the clearance of hazardous materials were also carried out to safeguard the stonework.

Areas of failing masonry were consolidated using traditional lime-based mortars compatible with the original materials, while unstable sections of flint and stone were selectively dismantled and carefully rebuilt using appropriate conservation techniques. To further stabilise weakened areas, discreet stainless-steel anchors and tensioned wire systems were installed, ensuring structural integrity without compromising the building’s historic character.

Finally, lead weathering and improved water-management measures were introduced to protect vulnerable masonry from ongoing rainwater ingress and environmental exposure, securing the long-term preservation of the structure.