Boston Preservation Trust have begun a 10-month restoration project to Fydell House which will remedy longstanding wear and war damage to the Grade 1 listed building. The work will also dramatically improve accessibility for all to both the house and gardens and will see the development of a programme of new activities to engage visitors and the community with this exceptional part of Boston’s heritage. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Project will save this unique building for the future, improve accessibility to many more users, and renew its lasting value as a community asset for the Town and the County.
The project will see extensive repair to the external façade and roof and interior wall decoration, as well as work on the electrical supply and heating. The access to the house and garden will be improved with gentle symmetrical ramps at the front and improved access to the rear gardens, and the conversion of the brick building at the rear into a toilet block for garden events. There will also be a training area and space for volunteers.
The cost of this is £2.3 million, of which The National Lottery Heritage Fund are providing £1.6 million and the Boston Town Board are contributing £120,000. The remaining balance is funded from the generosity of a number of organisations and individuals.
The design team is led by Soul Architects Ltd and the main contractor is Pinnacle Conservation Ltd. The project is managed by Evans and James Heritage Consultants. Work will commence in June, and the house will remain closed to visitors during this extensive programme of works. The house will re-open in Spring 2026.
Chairman of the Trust Martin Fairman said “We are all very excited to see this project start after 5 years preparation which has involved many experts as well as our membership and users of Fydell House. The National Lottery Heritage Fund have supported us all the way and we extend our thanks to the many people who buy National Lottery tickets”
Now that full Permission to Start has been granted, James Finlay came to undertake paint sampling of the external joinery to look for evidence of the original window colours of the house. Meanwhile, inside Spalding Gentlemen’s Society provided training on how to remove, pack and store our paintings whilst the works are underway.
The principal contractor started work on site on the 16th of June and one of the first jobs is to construct the scaffold which will fully encase the house whilst the external works are underway.
James Finlay undertaking paint sampling to assist with his research into the original colours of Fydell House
The scaffolding team have started on the rear elevation
Spalding Gentlemen’s Society came to provide training on how to properly store our oil paintings
