Restoration specialist requests from Canterbury
Canterbury's walled city has medieval timber frames, Georgian brick fronts and flint walling, while Whitstable has weatherboarded cottages and Herne Bay and the villages have Victorian and Edwardian homes. Tell us about the work and we'll pass it to restoration specialists covering CT1 to CT6.
- Much of central Canterbury is a conservation area with many listed buildings, so speak to Canterbury City Council early.
- Weatherboarded and tarred buildings near Whitstable's seafront take a battering from salt and wind.
- Flint walling is common in the city and nearby villages such as Bridge and Littlebourne.
Timber frames and Georgian fronts inside Canterbury's city walls
Inside and around Canterbury's city walls you'll find jettied timber-framed houses, Georgian brick and rendered fronts, and flint walls, often in the same street. Many of these buildings are listed and most of the centre is a conservation area, so almost any visible change needs checking with Canterbury City Council first. Repairs often involve taking out cement patches, repairing lime plaster, splicing timber and restoring sash windows. Ask a specialist to record what they find as they go, which helps with any consent application. Access in the narrow, busy streets can be difficult, and scaffolding may need a licence, so expect careful planning and allow time before work can start.
Weatherboarding and sea air in Whitstable and Herne Bay
Whitstable's older streets near the harbour and seafront have weatherboarded cottages, tarred sheds converted to homes and small brick terraces. Salt-laden wind dries out timber, lifts paint and corrodes iron fixings faster than inland, so boards may need more frequent attention and stainless or other corrosion-resistant fixings are worth discussing. Herne Bay has more Victorian and Edwardian villas and terraces, where sash windows and front doors take the brunt of the weather. In both towns, check whether your street is in a conservation area, where an Article 4 direction may affect replacing windows, doors or cladding. Tell anyone quoting how exposed your house is and which elevation faces the sea.
Towns and villages covered
Postcodes: CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6