Drone Photos show that work has now started on restoring Rotherham’s Keppel’s Column
Grade II-listed Keppel’s Column is set to be reopened to the public for first time in over 60 years under new plans submitted to Rotherham Council.
The 35m tall Structure located between Wentworth and Kimberworth will be strengthened, steps replaced and the viewing platform will become accessible to the public for the first time since the late 1960s.
Pictures show the location of the tower and close up of the viewing platforms current condition.
Repair works to the historic monument, which was built between 1773 and 1780 and is situated overlooking Wentworth Woodhouse in Thorpe Hesley, are underway.
The interior has been inaccessible to the public for over 20 years due to the severely broken and eroding staircase and access to the top of the column is currently only via cherry picker.
The restoration project is set to be completed in Spring 2022 to repair the column and make it accessible to the public for the first time in more than two decades, on restricted open days.
The work is being undertaken by Aura who have been conserving many of the UK’s most important listed and historical buildings since 1973. They have worked on Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse as part of the first phase of works to protect significant architectural features and interiors.
Works to restore the column will once again open up access to the top of the landmark making important connections to Wentworth Woodhouse and the remaining follies in the ownership of Fitzwilliam and Wentworth Amenity Trust.
£252,525 funding for the repairs has come from Rotherham Council’s Asset management and capital funding with £207,377 being put forward by Historic England from the second round of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, which is part of the Culture Recovery Fund, and the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Amenity Trust have awarded a grant of £20,000 to support the restoration.
