The Cider House

Godophin Estate, Cornwall

Godolphin’s cider house has been restored and officially opened after five years under scaffolding.

The cider house has been saved for future generations.

The oldest agricultural building at Godolphin in Cornwall is now restored and reopened after a massive conservation project to secure its future.

Godolphin’s cider house was being held up by telegraph poles, and the roof was rotting away. The decision was taken to cover it with scaffolding whilst the money could be raised to restore this building, full of history. It remained under scaffolding for five years, hidden from view.

KPK Builders, were employed by National Trust to carry out the restoration. Their skilled local craftsmen enabled much of what you now see to be as close to the original methods used as possible. The cider house has also been fully insulated and heated with the latest conservation techniques in order to make it a viable space for use for many years to come, as well as having a lift fitted making the first floor accessible for all. Specially commissioned barbastelle bat roosts have been fitted to the building, as well the building having a bat roost with a camera under the external granite steps.

The building is part of a larger programme of conservation at Godolphin that will develop over the next few years.

Click here to read more on the National Trust’s website about Godolphin House.