A Restoration Tale

October 31, 2025

Heritage House Restoration – From Haunted Manor to Timeless Home 🎃🏚️

This Halloween, we’re peeling back the creaky floorboards and cobwebbed corners of one of our most hauntingly memorable projects – a true “House of Horrors” that transformed from frightful to fabulous.

When we first stepped into this derelict Manor House, it was featured on Babergh District Council’s Heritage At Risk Register and the stuff of architectural nightmares:

  • Rotting timbers groaned underfoot
  • Cracked plaster whispered tales of neglect
  • A dilapidated roof let in moonlight and daylight

But beneath the decay lay the bones of a beautiful structure – rich with character, history, and potential. Our mission? To resurrect it.

👻 The Scares We Faced:

  • Structural instability that required careful repair and repointing
  • Hidden creatures lurking beneath floor boards
  • A maze of outdated wiring and plumbing
  • Heritage constraints

🛠️ The Magic We Worked:

  • Restored original features including cornices, fireplaces and sash windows
  • Introduced modern comforts while preserving period charm
  • Reimagined the layout to bring light into the darkest corners
  • Used sustainable materials to breathe new life into the old shell

Now, the house stands proud – no longer a haunted relic, but a warm, welcoming home with a story to tell. It’s a reminder that even the most terrifying restoration can have a happy ending… with the right team of architectural exorcists.

Happy Halloween from all of us – and remember, not every house that creaks is cursed. Sometimes, it’s just waiting to be loved back to life. 🕯️🏠

Contractor: W A Deacon & Sons Ltd

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About the author


Craig Western

Director / Architect 

Craig Western is a Director and Architect with Wincer Kievenaar. Graduating from the University of Sheffield he later joined the Practice in 2012 and has 18 years experience.

Craig has worked across all RIBA Work Stages under both traditional and Design & Build procurement routes. His career has involved working across many sectors and of mixed scale during his time at various architectural practices.

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