Author Rudyard Kipling’s Historic House is in Need of Renovation

Friday November 4, 2022

Rudyard Kipling’s Worcestershire family home was once a grand townhouse in Bewdley, where he stayed as a child with his grandparents. The Grade II listed Georgian house may have retained its historic grandeur over the last 150 years, but the interior has fallen into disrepair, and it is now on the market for £285,000. A Georgian house restoration project may cost more than a pretty penny, but it is a great investment for anyone who is looking for a great home. A house restoration of Kipling’s house will also add more value to it if the new owners want to sell it in the future.

The almost £300K figure is the starting bid for the Jungle Book author’s house. Former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones, and artist and former president of The Royal Academy Edward Poynter are all linked to the house. They are likely to have heard of or visited this residence.

For similar projects, our Georgian property refurbishment services in London offer tailored solutions to restore such historic homes to their former glory.

Five double bedrooms, two reception rooms, a large cellar, and even a veranda off the kitchen overlooking the large country garden are all included. Despite the recent use of garish colours on the walls, there are remnants of the Victorian and Georgian eras, such as feature fireplaces and a powder room. The house also enjoys stunning views of Bewdley and a large garden. In the stately-looking house, rooms are spread out over three floors.

For similar properties, our professional stone wall restoration services in London can revitalize aged stone structures to their former glory.

However, the estate needs a complete Georgian house restoration and renovation. Parts of the interior ceiling material have come away and have exposed the wood underneath. But even with these considerations, it is still a rare opportunity to own a historic building. There is incredible potential to make this house an amazing family home.

Our team specializes in restoring Georgian historical properties, ensuring that the architectural integrity and heritage are preserved.

Things to Consider When Renovating

When it comes to old house restoration in London, one of the most important factors to consider is the windows. This is because there is a discussion whether sash windows still fit the modern context.

Sash windows have great charm to them. They give a certain experience that cannot be found in other types of windows. The gentle squeak you hear from opening and closing them will always give you a special feeling.

Sash windows give a place a country-house feel that everybody desires. But somehow, the love dissipates when, as the cold season arrives, these windows can let in a draught that makes you feel like you’re outdoors.

With such windows, it would be difficult to warm the building even with various heating methods. The best alteration to make a home warm and accommodating is to use double glazing or secondary glazing for the home. But window restoration for Georgian houses may cost up to £20,000.

This gives rise to a discussion: why keep sash windows when they don’t seem to be a practical choice? Mostly because they’re such a lovely sight to see. They’re probably worth it if you can put up with a month or two of discomfort in the winter. However, if you are the type of person who is unconcerned about appearance, they are not recommended.

According to Historic England, the predecessor to the familiar vertical sash originated in France in the mid-17th century and was fixed at the top. In today’s version, the double-hung sash with a counterweight mechanism is installed. It would seem that this is an addition that British innovators made.

They used a system of hidden and counterbalanced weights to allow both the top and bottom sash frame to be moved independently. This clever system of ventilation surpassed what was possible with the casement window at the time.

The method gives you the most ventilation control. Sashes are an important part of a great system because they are designed to save energy. Historic England describes the sash as being under attack by modern technologies. The loss of traditional windows from older buildings is a threat to the country’s heritage, they said, because they believe that these are important artefacts in their own right.

On the other side of the debate, they ask: what will homeowners do when cold draughts arrive? Of course, there are many ways to improve the thermal efficiency with sash windows, but an installation in keeping with the home’s character may come at a cost.

One of the ways this can be done is to use draught-sealing that doesn’t affect the mechanism of the window. Two panes of glass with a vacuum in between can also work well. These are less invasive and leave the original window intact.

If windows are leaky, this is no fault of the 100-year-old window. Things will naturally give way in one form or another.

Solutions for these windows will vary and can come in different forms depending on the context and the homeowner’s taste. Historic England suggests that owners should repair rather than replace. However, if they decide to replace the windows, owners should not use plastic because it can greatly affect the heritage value of a historic building.

They added that discarded windows end up in landfill sites and have the potential to release some of the most damaging industrial pollutants.

For those who live in listed buildings, the repairs should be consistent and stringent. Windows contribute to the significance of listed buildings according to Historic England. The advice is to repair the windows where it is at all possible. If they need to be replaced, they should use accurate copies.

Window Repair and Restoration

Owning a period home requires passion and commitment. The home’s value comes not just from its location and the house itself but also from its history and character.

At Environ House Restoration and Sash Window Repair London, we know the love you have for your home, which is why we make our service match your passion and dedication to your house. So, whether it be a simple window repair to full house restoration, we will provide top-notch service. Our team is composed of experienced professionals who will go to great lengths to accomplish your vision for your home.

Please browse our website environrestorationservices.co.uk for more information about what we do. You can also see satisfied clients we have worked with in the past years.