Wish Tower Door Restoration

We’re looking forward to the finished result on this project.  Colbran & Wingrove have been commissioned by the Wish Tower Friends CIC to restore the entrance door to Eastbourne’s Wish Tower.

Tower 73 is one of just 26 Martello towers remaining along the south coast. It is a scheduled monument under Historic England and restoration work must sympathetic and faithful.

As with all towers, the door is approximately 2m above ground level on the first floor. Once accessed via a drawbridge from the moat wall, it’s now reached by wooden steps.

The door is substantial and likely to have been constructed of European Oak. Subject to some clumsy repairs in the 20th century, it has been degraded by the coastal weather and attempted break-ins over the years. Peeling paintwork, rusting metal work and a detached hinge now also threaten the door’s integrity.

Our team will remove it and replace it with a temporary door whilst the restoration work is underway. Along with stripping and re-painting, a blacksmith will repair the hinges to make it secure once more before we re-fit it.

You can also see examples of our work for the National Trust for whom we have restored seating at Birling Gap and managed the renovation of Farrer Hall in East Dean.

If you are planning work on a protected or heritage building and would be interested in discussing your work or obtaining a quote, you can get in touch with us at: office@colbranwingrove.co.uk

June 2024