Stone Wall Restoration, Wedmore
We recently completed a project in Wedmore, Somerset, where a private client approached us to restore and rebuild the front walls of their property. Over time, the walls had deteriorated and suffered damage, requiring careful restoration. After the wall removed and the failing structure was cleaned, we built a new retaining wall using a mix of natural stone.
Goals & Requirements
Restore stonework to original condition
Returning the masonry to its historic appearance required an understanding of original techniques, tooling, and materials used during the period of construction. This meant carefully identifying which areas could be repaired and which needed replacement, ensuring every intervention preserved authenticity rather than altering the building’s character.
Maintain compliance with heritage regulations
Working on a heritage-sensitive site required strict adherence to local and national conservation guidelines to protect the building’s historic significance. Every repair and reconstruction had to be carefully planned and executed using approved materials and techniques to ensure regulatory compliance while preserving authenticity.
Improve structural integrity
Many areas of the project involved weakened or unstable masonry that required careful reinforcement to ensure long-term stability. This meant integrating structural supports, precise stone bedding, and appropriate mortars without compromising the visual and historic character of the work.
Match existing masonry accurately
New stonework needed to seamlessly blend with the existing masonry in colour, texture, and tooling to maintain a consistent and authentic appearance. Achieving this required careful selection of materials, precise cutting, and skilled craftsmanship to replicate the original detailing faithfully.
Improve entranceway aesthetics
The entrance needed to be both functional and visually appealing, enhancing the overall character of the garden while complementing the surrounding masonry. This required careful design, precise stone carving, and attention to proportions to create a refined, welcoming focal point.
Project Challenges
Weather damage / frost decay
Years of weathering and exposure had left the gables and upper tower loose, fractured, and crumbling, creating structural and safety concerns. Careful dismantling, assessment, and selective rebuilding were required to restore stability while preserving the building’s historic character.
Structural crack
Constant wind, rain, and salt-laden air from the nearby seafront had accelerated the decay of stonework, making the building highly vulnerable to further damage. This required the use of durable materials, protective finishes, and careful construction techniques to ensure long-term resilience while respecting the historic fabric.
Inappropriate cement mortar used previously
Earlier repairs had employed cement mortar, which is too rigid and non-breathable for historic stonework, leading to cracking, trapped moisture, and accelerated deterioration. Part of the project involved carefully removing these unsuitable repairs and replacing them with compatible lime-based mortars to protect the masonry and allow it to breathe naturally.
Failed pointing
Over time, the mortar joints had deteriorated, cracked, or eroded, allowing water ingress that weakened the surrounding stonework. Restoring these joints with carefully matched lime mortar was essential to strengthen the structure, prevent further damage, and maintain the building’s historic appearance.
Spalling stone
Sections of the stonework had begun to flake and break away due to weathering, moisture penetration, and previous unsuitable repairs. These areas required careful assessment, selective replacement, and precise restoration to ensure both structural stability and visual continuity with the surrounding masonry.