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Historic Buildings Conservation is helping to secure the long-term future of Apethorpe Hall, considered to be the most important country house at risk in England. The hall is now in a poor state of repair and is priority category A on English Heritage's at risk register.
Apethorpe Hall, Near Oundle, is a 600 year old country house that
was once owned by Henry VIII, and is Grade I Listed, which places
it in the top 2% of the nation's historic buildings. It is of considerable
historical and architectural importance, originating from the late
15th century and containing important architectural elements from
each subsequent century. It is constructed around two courtyards
and in the 16th and 17th century it was fitted out to palatial
standards. It has entertained Tudor and Stuart royalty, notably
Elizabeth I, whist James I and Charles I have both visited the
hall on hunting trips.
After 20 years of neglect, this late 15th century Grade I Listed
country house was slipping into ruin, with holes in the roof and
related dry rot outbreaks. Via English Heritage, HBC carried out
emergency repairs and erected a huge temporary roof structure to
keep it weather tight, thus preventing further deterioration.
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