Fireplace Restoration – Grade II* Listed Property: Wroxeter, Shropshire
We were asked to investigate and restore a fireplace within a Grade II* listed brick-built property in Wroxeter, Shropshire. At first glance the fireplace appeared to be a relatively modern installation set within a painted chimney breast. However, the proportions of the opening suggested that earlier historic fabric might survive behind the visible brickwork.
Exploratory work was therefore undertaken to carefully dismantle the later alterations and investigate the earlier structure concealed behind them.
Initial Condition
When work commenced, the visible fireplace consisted of relatively modern brickwork set within a plastered chimney breast, with painted finishes to either side. The brickwork itself was clearly a later alteration, most likely dating from the late twentieth century, and was visually unsympathetic to the age and character of the building.
Although functional, this later fireplace had effectively concealed the earlier masonry and altered the proportions of the original opening.
Opening-Up Works and Investigation
The later brick fireplace was carefully dismantled to expose the earlier fabric behind. As the modern brickwork was removed, remnants of a much older fireplace structure began to emerge.
The opening appears to be formed with a flat Georgian-style brick arch constructed using wedge-shaped bricks laid to create a gentle camber across the span. Interestingly, the brickwork does not follow the strict symmetrical bonding pattern often associated with Georgian gauged brickwork, suggesting that the arch may represent either an early alteration or a pragmatic historic rebuild carried out during the building’s long life.
Once the earlier brickwork had been fully exposed, the project evolved from simple opening-up works into a full conservation-led restoration of the fireplace.
Conservation & Masonry Repairs
With the historic structure revealed, a programme of masonry repairs was undertaken to stabilise and reinstate the fireplace while retaining as much original fabric as possible.
The works included rebuilding the fireplace cheeks on both the left and right-hand sides where previous alterations had disrupted the masonry. Reclaimed bricks were carefully selected to match the size, colour and character of the surrounding historic brickwork.
A new substantial hearth was installed and raised slightly above the floor level to better suit the proportions of the fireplace opening. Two courses of brickwork were then constructed across the base of the opening to define the hearth line and visually anchor the structure.
A small brick niche was also formed on the right-hand side of the fireplace. This detail provides a traditional recess often used historically for storing tools, candles or other small items associated with the hearth.
The brickwork was gently cleaned to remove surface contamination and loose material while deliberately retaining the historic soot deposition and natural patina that had built up over time. This sympathetic approach ensured the fireplace retained its historic character rather than appearing over-restored.
Finally, all mortar joints were carefully raked out by hand and the entire fireplace was repointed using a breathable lime-based mortar compatible with the historic masonry.
Outcome
The completed fireplace now forms a strong architectural focal point within the room. By removing the later unsympathetic alterations and revealing the earlier masonry, the proportions and character of the fireplace have been reinstated.
The combination of careful investigation, sympathetic repairs and traditional materials has allowed the historic brickwork to remain visible while ensuring the structure is stable, breathable and appropriate for a building of this age and significance.
Key Works Undertaken
- Careful removal of later twentieth-century fireplace alterations
- Exposure of earlier historic brick fireplace structure
- Rebuilding of the left and right fireplace cheeks using reclaimed bricks
- Installation of a raised hearth appropriate to the scale of the opening
- Construction of two brick courses across the base of the fireplace
- Formation of a small brick niche to the right-hand side of the opening
- Gentle sympathetic cleaning of historic brickwork
- Full raking out and repointing of masonry using lime mortar
