Conservation Policy
The Estate is actively involved in conservation, both within the House and throughout the Park and surrounding land.
The fabric of the buildings is carefully maintained and preserved. There is an ongoing programme of maintenance and care, as well as sympathetic improvements in the wider area. Visitors are fascinated by the housekeeping routines that encompass the sweeping of 88 chimneys and the two weeks that it takes just to clean the windows. Lord Salisbury is keen to preserve the Jacobean building for future generations and access to certain areas of the house might consequently be limited or restricted.
There is a team of textile conservators who work tirelessly to preserve the tapestries and fine furnishings in the House. The famous Sheldon Tapestries took over 16 years to restore for today’s visitors to appreciate and enjoy. Clocks, pictures, furniture, archives and other collections are all carefully conserved by expert craftsmen.
The 16th century organ in the Armoury is regularly tuned and is played on certain weekends by local organ scholars.
