Restoration Work on Hever Castle’s Loggia Terrace

March 06 2023 | Garden

Repair and restoration work is taking place on parts of the Loggia.

The works on the right hand side of the lower piazza started in January and are aimed to take place until May. They are vital to preserve the stone structure for future generations.

The Loggia area is over 100 years old and is one of the highlights of the Italian Garden which was built to house former owner William Waldorf Astor’s sculpture collection.

Visitors are still able to walk through the Loggia and look out on Hever Lake while the maintenance work is carried out.

The stone structure with its imposing columns was built on a river plain and over the years it has suffered from subsidence and tree roots and weeds getting into the walls.

The works will see all the paving stones on the surface removed and each individual stone catalogued to ensure they are put back in the same place.

Any cracked paving will be repaired or replaced and reinforced concrete will be laid before the stones are re-laid.

The balustrades, wall and steps down into the lake will also be replaced in that section as part of the works by Sussex-based Brickstone and Flint.

It is part of ongoing maintenance in the Italian Garden which have included restoration work on other parts of the Loggia in 2017 as well as relaying the areas of stone around Half Moon Pond and relaying paving on Pergola Walk.

CEO Duncan Leslie said: “We are gradually repairing the Italian Gardens so they will last another 100 years plus.”