Ingleton Wood supporting Blenheim Palace Orangery £2 million conservation Friday, 26th May 2023

The iconic Blenheim Palace, based in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, is undergoing a £2 million conservation project to replace the original roof of its historic Orangery.

Ingleton Wood has been appointed to support the conservation by providing mechanical, electrical, and sustainability services at the Grade 1 Listed World Heritage Site.

The glass ceiling of the 18th century Orangery is being replaced with a timber and slate structure in the spirit of Sir John Vanbrugh’s original design. The project at the heritage site is aiming to help combat the effects of climate change and is expected to complete in autumn 2023.

Thomas McCosker, Senior Sustainability Specialist based at our Oxford office, said: “The new energy-efficient roof at the beautiful Orangery Restaurant is an exciting and significant step forward in Blenheim Palace’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2027.

“Using our expertise across the heritage sector and multi-disciplinary sustainability services, we have already conducted a thermal modelling exercise to establish the energy and carbon saving opportunities before upgrading the electrics to ensure they will be suitable for the new environment.

"The new fully insulated roof is designed to reduce heat loss in the winter and prevent excessive sunlight from entering in the summer, helping to keep the restaurant at optimal temperatures all-year round while minimising any use of heating or cooling.

“We look forward to continue working closely with Blenheim Palace on this sustainable restoration that guests will enjoy for many years to come.”

The original glass roof was installed after a fire broke out in an adjacent bakery and damaged the roof structure in 1861.

Kelly Whitton, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace, said: “We are restoring the Orangery to what we understand to be its original form, based on research and pre-fire evidence remaining on site.

“The 19th century glass roof has come to the end of its life, and it is time to make a serious change. Due to the pressures of climate change and noticeable temperature swings, we are proposing to return the roof back to slate.

“Slate combined with modern insulation will be a far more effective insulator than glass, saving energy and helping Blenheim reach its green goals.”

The Orangery renovation project is being fully funded by Blenheim Palace visitors. 

“Every visitor has helped to make this conservation a reality and we want to thank them and let them know they are a part of Blenheim Palace’s history. Their admission goes directly towards preserving the legacy of the World Heritage Site,” said Kelly.

Ingleton Wood is being supported by Nick Cox Architects who is providing architectural services. Nick Cox, Principal Architect at Nick Cox Architects said: “We are delighted to be working with Ingleton Wood on the Blenheim Orangery project. It is a transformation to this important space and provision of new electrical services, data and lighting is an integral part of the project.”