The restoration of Astley Castle | The Landmark Trust 

I usually detest so-called "modern" architecture and am a staunch advocate of restoration not remodeling or modernization. I almost didn't watch this video because I didn't want to see what they had done to this exquisite old structure. But I was quite surprised to find that I actually liked the finished product. I think it is a good compliment to the surviving details of the castle and the contrast between the ancient and the modern is very interesting as well as educational to see. Good show!!!

Astounding! I so wish that here in America, architects and preservationists had taken this approach instead of destroying gilded age structures such as Millionaire's row in New York City instead of demolishing such irreplaceable and resplendent interiors of mogul's homes such as the Vanderbilts. Such waste. Loved it, thank you.

I've seen many castles that have sat in ruins in the country they belong yet, that country does nothing to restore them. But, as soon as some one comes along, buys it and starts rehabbing the place then the council, the town, etc.. wants to hold the new owners accountable to grade listing or whatever that castle used to look like back when it was built. If the country or townsfolk took such pride in their historical buildings then why not pitch in to help restore it to what it was? Why complain when some one else comes in to take on the task using materials readily available to restore it? I would rather see life flowing back into a place worth saving rather than it being left to continue dying due to erosion from the elements.

I really like this approach. A great result for somewhere very close to being a pile of stones.

I have watched the program that I think is called "Restoration Homes", where private individuals agree to restore historic homes to their former glory. Because the home is historic, they must use materials, etc., to the liking of the government/housing officials (?). There are two individuals that are at a standstill because of all the costs they have incurred. I think if the government is going to demand what they do from these individuals who have agreed to restore a historical structure, then I think it is only fair that those doing the demanding to also share in the financial burden. There have been individuals who have lost everything they have trying to restore these structures. If these homes are deemed important enough to be considered important historical homes, then why is the government letting these homes go to ruin, almost to the point of no return? Then when someone is kind enough to buy them and restore them, they have all of these expensive and costly demands that go with it. Shame!

you guys saved this monument. i am not at all happy with its modification to modern life, but it that is what it took to save this building from a total annihilation, then let it be. EXCELLENT. thanks for saving us this peace of history

i think that work is beyond restoration, quite an impressive and subtle design for this abandoned ruins.

I live in Canada where nothing is really to old. Whenever I visit England my heart always goes out to see all this historic architecture . You do not know how lucky you are to have it , so please keep it up.

I 100%support this idea. The people who built these homes were 100% successful in their own time and used the most up to date engineering they had at the time.

I have never been more thrilled by any renovation project! Congratulations to everybody involved. Taste, good architecture, vision and respect for the original........they all came together in a MAGNIFICENT way! Thank you for your endless work , integrity and kindness to the old building!

I wanted so much more outvof this video. I love watching the actual build. With that being said, it turned out beautifully. The the idea how they saved it is great! I like the new with the old. Great video and good job guys.

Modern architects drive me nuts with their arrogance of what is modern restoration must look like. For example, after Notre Dame burned modern architects are proposing to restore the roof with glass to make it fit in with "modern times." That will make Notre Dame look like crap, and ruin that ancient cathedral. Then after the restoration is completed they have the audacity to talk down their noses at you, while patting themselves on the back, claiming their crap restoration looks like a rose and it's "you" who isn't with the times......ever notice we are not attracted to modern architecture for more than a year or two, but were always attracted to old architecture. There's a reason for this.

This is great!

I like how they chose to retain some of its history as a ruin, instead of just rebuilding how it was originally. Some buildings look better as ruins than when they were intact. As for the new brickwork, I think there's too much mortar between the bricks.

Brilliant idea!

Excellent rescue!

Wonderful Job.

Baron William de Astley, my 21st Great Grandfather. Thank you for the video.

a beautiful complementary way to preserve the old while breathing new life into the structure

This is amazing! It's like a merge of my favorite things! Restoration, Repurposing, History, Interior Design, and Architecture. I'd be happy to go to work for once 😊

Beautiful work

This is certainly a new approach because 4 years ago a mate of mine bought a grade II listed manor house and was made to restore it to exact specifications of when it was built in the early 1700s. He wasn’t even allowed to use lime wash stones on his kitchen floor because it wouldn’t have been that fancy. He found a quarry that had stone which matched the outside perfectly but wasn’t able to use it because they would’ve used a local quarry back in the day doesn’t matter that a local quarry doesn’t have the stone. It’s a farce, it’s a cash grab and he said he’d never buy another listed building because of it. Historic England caused his budget to increase tremendously and caused the project to take 3 years longer and the sad part is that he wasn’t trying to modernize it too much all the material was correct just not from the right quarry or wrong color, they wouldn’t have used pine it’d be oak. If he hadn’t bought it that would just be collapsed rubble today.

I live in a country that does't have as many old and historic buildings as Great Britain, so whenever I watch this type of shows I am looking forward to seeing these beauties being restored to their former glory. That is why I am always so sad when they mix modern architecture with the old. This would have been done so much better if it had been done by someone who appreciates the authenticity.

Sadly, they did a "Falaise Castle" interpretation/restoration. I'm not going to comment on what the French were thinking there, but doing the same in Britain? Ok, I get it. The Castle was falling down, and needed something the Victorians would be proud of when it came to architectural fidelity. It's your Castle Astley - You're never going to give it up, let it down or desert it.

I like it, job well done

I absolutely love this, the new and old together, tastefully and uniquely done. Don't like it? Scroll on by!

well done to everyone involved. as a localish person who loves Astley village it was a crying shame to see it I such a sad state, but not anymore. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍

Superb story and excellent result.

Absolutely encouraged to see . An intelligent young Woman at the head of HNT. the exciting new approach for saving Historical Ruins of architectural interest. By perfect esthetical new building .Very beautiful.

I would love such a house !

While i can appreciate the amount of work involved to preserve the ruins and make them usable again, I feel that the English countryside was cheated out of one of its gems. PRESERVE THE OUTSIDE SHELL ONLY. Build the INSIDE according to this century. Here in the USA, in the 1950s the White House (the building) started falling apart because of poor foundations and bad alterations made in the 19th century. The outside shell was preserved and restored (Exception: The Truman Balcony Addition) but the inside was gutted. New foundations were laid and new sub-basements were added. and the interior brought up to modern specs and standards. While the White House interior was returned to its former glory, it could very easily have been transformed to a more modern lifestyle. Outside it would retain its original 1700s appearance but inside be sleek and modern. This is what should have been done to Astley Castle.

Let's be honest, this is "restoration" on a low budget and it shows. However now that the building has been stablised and reoccupied there is a chance for a more comprehensive and authentic project in the future.

It looks abrupt and abrasive and neither fish nor fowl. I'd never do this to an ancient building. The castle deserves far better. Standing in that place, who has any idea of what once was?

Hey I would love to see the finished work

I used to play there as a child in the early 90's with my mate who was called funnily enough on two counts "Rick Astley" (he got some stick at school lol). I love the fact that castle has been saved, it was always in the back of my mind as to why no-one would save it in the past? If I'd have had the money, i'd have been there like a shot, I think the Newdigate's should be ashamed of themselves for letting the place fall into such a state, even criminal charges should be made :-/

Interesting to see how they manage old sites in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya in Thailand.

Gorgeous

I simply love it. It nearly collapsed. Use the real old and put real new together. No "Hollywood Fake Rebuilding". Great work. Did I say I love it?

Such dilemma. I am torn. It certainly is quite beautiful yet what of the historical significance? Have they fallen short in keeping with the past? Or have they done what was necessary to save the structure? It is up to the public to decide for themselves.

Quite an interesting restoration. I'm not certain I care for the exterior, but I think the architects created a lovely space with the loft style interior using exposed beams and skylights. It does have a certain anachronistic aesthetic and I think keeping the exterior consistent with the rock facade would've been more pleasing, but I suppose the haphazard interlocking of brick and rock gives it a unique shabby chic look that would appeal to modern architects

That architect in the middle is adorable, I really wanted to hear him speak

At first I was put off by the stark juxtaposition of old and new, but it will mellow! I realized that many ancient buildings were constantly rebuilt and modernized according to the tenets of the day. Wings were added, often in totally different styles. Crenellations might be added or removed. Windows were knocked through or closed up, Centuries ago, they may have looked just as awkward. Now they look quaint and authentic. I wouldn’t have chosen that furniture. It looks flimsy and out of scale. I like simple, clean-lined furniture, but I’d have chosen pieces that look and feel substantial. That’s just my preference, though. I’d also have chosen richer, warmer wall colours.

congratulations

I añways come to show this video to show what a monstruosity is.

Awesome

would someone please tell me how much was spent on this restoration thanks

This is the kind on solution that can work in many old buildings. The reason these buildings get into this ruinous state, in many cases, is because there are so many rules and and red tape when a building is listed. New owners just give up on them or run out of money and they rot. If someone is buying a place to make it into their home, then it has to work as a modern house. If a town wants to turn it into a museum, then they should buy it and restore it to its original but if a private owner buys it then they should be able to modify it to fit their need, in a respectful way, of course.

I think they did a beautiful job. Practicality rules, you cannot restore to former glory, but this is a lovely way to save what otherwise would be a pile of brick, unsafe for anyone to go near and appreciate.

When are they going to finish it?

sorry , I'm not fluent in english, but was used public funding for what seems to becoming a private house?

I think any restoration on this castle is a good thing ,so many are left in a ruin and dilapidated it can only be for good

Superb. Love it.

Does anyone know the final cost of this project?

Nice

Have to disagree with the majority of the comments below. I love old buildings and, yes, it would have been lovely if it could have been restored to something like it's original state. Such restorations, however, often resemble a Disney film set of an old building. I think that what they have done is beautiful and respects the historical integrity of the original. Yes, the distinction between old and new is very sharp now, but will mellow and blend with time. The view through the large windows to the church is magnificent, much better than simply obscuring it with a stone wall. I say 'well done'; it's lovely.

Why was the fire mysterious... did it wear a disguise? Was it aloof in conversation?

On to the next one.....

This is a great video, with a lot of historical details...but, good grief, someone get that lady a pop filter.

rebuild it to its former glory - i said

never gonna give you up

I watch different restoration shows from the UK, and I always noticed that people who buy old properties are forced to do everything with original materials according to the age of the building, ,windows, roof material, even the interiors, so why are these people allowed to do whatever they want here? is this not a listed property? wasn't it so historicaly important? with so many castels in better shape, but in ruins, why are the other ones left as ruins, and not this one?

Also see Chateau Allaman

look at that poor architects face, it pains him to talk about the castle in university speak, yet he does a jean tentingly good job.

It was occupied for a 1000 years, and now they are repairing astley castle... the owners are quoted saying "I'm never gunna give you up"

I really wanted to see the upstairs 😔

I've been to a pleasure garden... there was alot more leather and latex though...

I agree that they should allow this sort of thing and they should also make it much easier for those that want to take on a challenge like this to do it. Obviously not wreck places but I read about cases where the cost and time involved in getting them to agree to anything was years and hundreds of thousands of pounds. Apparently, they move at a snail's pace and if they question something it takes another six months each time. I actually know a guy who built a brand new tower castle rather than restore one as he'd had so many problems when trying to get permissions to restore. So there is are tower castles falling down as they make it so difficult for people. Regarding this project, I've never seen brickwork with so much mortar. It honestly seems that whoever did it was trying to save money on bricks. The inside/outside space with the table seems a little strange to me. They should have done a proper walkthrough of the complete house as I didn't really understand how it all fits together.

Was this "designed" by the same guy who "saved" that old pumping station??

To each their own... certainly!! But, admittedly, I genuinely chose to watch this as the title indicated "restoration" and not "merely securing some ancient brick walls" to only throw a modern house into the middle of it! (It's still left as just a pile of rubble!)

My ancestors lived in this place - I'm rather sad to see the modernistic mess the architects made of it. I'm sure it would have been possible to restore it to its Tudor state.

So sad. There is this very narrow misconception in design and planning circles that "you can't rebuilt in an authentic manner." Even without the original plans and details, you can rebuild in a historically appropriate manner. This thought that to do so "pastiche" is absolutely narrow-minded and false. They took a beautiful castle and yes, saved what was left, but utterly changed the character into something alien and disrespectful to the architecture and history. Such a pity. I can easily see this in 40-50 years as a project to "undo the damage caused by this unusual reconstruction"

While it’s wonderful that they saved it, I must agree that new and “sharp” architecture inside something so ancient seems to cheaper it....restore something like that castle to its former glory, but then I’m a huge fan of the classic castles and chateaus of the 16th and 17th centuries...

❤👍

Already saw this tendency in Italy YEARS ago!

I think if there was the money a full restoration would have been possible its just down to economics

I'm pretty sure this castle is part of my family ancestry.

look at all you saying it looks crap why dnt you buy and fix it up your self (atleased its been saved and it looks very nice )

😊

Honestly this is actually not that bad. I think the exterior is great. Interior is gross but you know architects often just miss the point to human scale and details.

I totally applaud what has been done here. I know a knee jerk reaction is to lament that the new is not a restoration of the old but the building would have fallen down waiting for someone to come along and pour the money needed into it. The building is back in use and used nearly every week by new holiday makers. That which could be saved was and the new is sympathetic to the old but make no attempt to impersonate the past. Also we need to remember the old building was a series of modernisations extensions and alterations. Try a holiday in a Landmark trust and make a contribution to the preservation of our heritage.

Number,,.

Just looks like a lot of concrete stuck an un remarkable ruin

I guess it's not like they could give it up

Should have been restored as it was once.

Not saying people shouldn't have modern influences in restoration projects at all, but just having exposed brickwork doesn't constitute maintenance of historical integrity.

Sooooo sad.

Modern architecture is disgusting, despicable, this castle looks like crap now.

This IS NOT a restoration. To restore is "the act of returning something to its former condition". This is a crime against architecture. Do a proper restoration, stabilize the structure and leave it alone or sell it to some one able to do a proper restoration.

You can hardly call this a restoration, this is actually a renovation...

Was a hotel after WWII, burned down by a "mysterious fire". I take insurance did not pay out, for arson!! It definitely deterioted real fast, from 1978! So what exactly did thieves steal? Charcoal for their life drawing art classes!

This is what modern architects do to a beautiful historic building... How sad.

I think it’s totally ugly they should have restored it to the way it was originally!!! Yes it’s a functional home but it’s a home within a home. Bringing historic homes or castles back to their original state is so much nicer like the work that has been done on so many homes/castles so far in this documentary series.

Seeing it had degraded to a mere shell,I think that they didn't do such a bad job..

I don't see this as a restoration, I see this as vandalism. People should respect the monuments and the stories that they have to tell. Cheap easy and affordable rarely is an option for such projects.

As soon as the architects came on I couldn't watch the video. So ridiculous to do such modern uglyness to SUCH a building. Modern buildings you can find everywhere but such gems not anymore. Well, after the renovation this is also history now. Rip.

Looks like they have just squeezed in two oversized ports cabins - obviously me no likey

The rickroll castle!

It would have really helped if the architects had rehearsed their lines a bit. Now it takes forever to deliver them, with lot's of Eh and Ah.

This sets a ridiculous president for English Heritage. If they feel they can completely ruin a beautiful, ancient and historically important piece of architecture with disgusting concrete modernism because they think it would be easier than restoring it, they can do it with any building. Absolutely apalling.

Looks like ikea...