National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
The Georgian glass-fronted structure sits in the grounds of Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham. It was originally built for Lady Rockingham, wife of the 1st Marquess, to entertain and impress her guests.
Along with the rest of Wentworth Woodhouse, the building fell into decline from the late 1900s and the 30-strong camellia collection was forgotten.
The building sat derelict for years with no roof, many empty windowpanes and the camellias were thought to have disappeared. However, before the project got underway, it was discovered in 2021 that some of the flowers had survived since the early 1800s.
It’s a significant step in our mission to build a financially sustainable long-term solution for Wentworth Woodhouse.
Sarah McLeod, CEO of the Preservation Trust
Now the global tea house has a brand-new roof, a complete set of Georgian sash windows and a blooming collection of historic camellias. Wherever possible, original materials and features were retained.
Energy-conserving methods have been introduced including carbon-neutral heating and a rainwater harvesting system, which irrigates the camellia plants and provides water for the toilets.
The Camellia House will be open to the public with teas available from across the globe. In the evenings it will host events and serve as a space for local community groups.
Sarah McLeod, CEO of the Preservation Trust, said: “Saving The Camellia House, removing it from the Heritage At Risk Register and giving it a new life is a huge achievement for us. It’s a significant step in our mission to build a financially sustainable long-term solution for Wentworth Woodhouse."
Wentworth Woodhouse was awarded an initial grant of £1,507,400 to develop plans for the restoration of The Camellia House and the stables. Following this, a delivery grant of £4,001,200 was awarded for The Camellia House only, while other funding has been secured for works to be undertaken on the stables.
