Ring Wall Restoration
A sweeping solid curve of yellow brickwork, the Wandlebury Ring Wall is
both a beautiful feature and an historic landmark.
First seen in a print of 1743, the high garden wall built by the estate owner,
Francis Godolphin, was an important element in the mid 18th century garden
design, and remains a prominent feature in the Wandlebury landscape today.
The wall enclosed the formal gardens of the house and stable complex, and
separated them from the more informal landscape of grazing paddocks beyond.
May Pole dancing in the Stable Rooms paddock showing part of the repaired wall.Frost, water and ivy damage has taken its toll and the Cambridge Preservation
Society has embarked on a 5-10 year repair programme, to ensure that the wall is
restored for future generations to enjoy. The first two phases of repairs have
been successfully completed. A 100 meter stretch of wall beginning at the
Education Centre was repaired in autumn 2004, funded by a grant from South
Cambridgeshire District Council and a legacy left to the Society by the late
Professor R M Cook. In spring/summer 2006 we repaired a 75 meter stretch of wall
adjacent to the Orchard-with the help of generous donations
to the 'Buy a Brick Appeal'.
But we still have a long way to go! With getting on for 300 metres still
left to repair, we need to raise at least £250,000 to complete the work.
Our aim in 2010/2011 is to repair a further 130 meters to 'bridge the gap'
between the first two phases.
If you would like to support the project we will be pleased to send
you some more information about the appeal please call Janet Cornish in
the Cambridge Past, Present & Future office on 01223 243830 or
e-mail.