01/09/2026
Heritage Open Days return later this month, giving people the chance to step inside historic buildings and places across the country and discover the stories behind them.
Here in West Cumbria, we’re fortunate to have a rich built heritage – and at Stobbarts, we’re proud to play our part in looking after it.
Sometimes conservation is about the big things. Sometimes it’s about the details.
At Millom Old Library, we replaced a heavily weathered historic plaque with a new carved St Bees sandstone replica, carefully recreated by Bigrigg-based stonemasons E Moorhouse & Sons.
The replacement may be a small detail, but inscriptions and architectural features like this form part of the character and historical record of our historic buildings.
The Millom project is one of several examples of our conservation work across West Cumbria.
At Newton Manor in Gosforth, specialist stonemasonry has been used to recreate intricate historic features, including a heraldic shield and delicate decorative panels.
At Pelham Walled Garden, sections of historic walling were rebuilt using locally sourced materials and traditional lime mortar, with Conservation Officers involved throughout the works.
In Maryport, when a deteriorating mosaic depicting Queen Victoria was discovered during restoration works, we brought in a specialist restorer to carefully conserve it.
And in Workington, our ongoing work to the sandstone façade of the Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre is helping to preserve a much-loved historic building that continues to serve the local community.
Different projects, but the same principle – protecting the details that connect today’s communities with their past.
