From Former Pub to Family Home: Restoring The Bell, Aldbourne
Some of the most rewarding projects we work on are buildings with a story to tell.
This project, a former public house in Aldbourne known as The Bell, is one such example. Once operated under Ushers Ales, the building has lived several lives before becoming a family home once again.
After closing as a pub, the property was later owned by Barnes Coaches and used as offices and a maintenance depot. By the time our client purchased it at auction, much of its original character had been hidden, and the building itself was beginning to suffer.
Our brief was simple and clear: return the building to a warm, comfortable family home, while respecting and preserving its historic fabric.
Understanding the Building Before Changing It
With many period properties, the biggest issues are not caused by age, but by modern materials being used inappropriately.
In this case, the external brickwork and chalk stone were in a poor state of repair. The side gables had been coated in modern masonry paint, preventing the walls from breathing. Over time, trapped moisture led to cracking, failing masonry, and widespread damp.
Before any cosmetic work could begin, the building needed to be allowed to behave as it was originally designed to.
Restoring Breathability and Structure
The first stage was to carefully sandblast the external walls, removing all modern paint layers.
We then painstakingly removed cement-based mortars, which are wholly unsuitable for chalk stone and historic brickwork. These were replaced with traditional lime mortar, restoring breathability and allowing moisture to pass naturally through the structure once again.
In several areas, long-standing cracks had compromised the masonry. Sections of wall were carefully taken down, rebuilt, and reinstated, ensuring structural integrity while maintaining the original appearance of the building.
This work alone transformed the health of the property and resolved damp issues that had likely been present for many years.
Preserving Hidden and Historic Features
Internally, years of change had hidden much of the building’s original charm, but it was still there beneath the surface.
Two original fireplaces were uncovered, carefully cleaned, and restored, once again becoming focal points within the home.
In the loft space, at the top of the chimney, we discovered what appears to be an old flagstone, likely used historically for curing or smoking meat. This unusual and fascinating feature has been carefully restored and preserved as part of the property’s story.
Other historic elements, including the original cellar location, were identified and respected, even where they were not altered.
A Modern Family Home — Done Properly
Once the building envelope had been made sound, we were able to sensitively modernise the interior.
The property has been fully rewired, fitted with modern central heating, and given bathrooms where none previously existed. Internally, the layout has been reworked to suit modern family living, including a restructured kitchen and improved flow throughout the house.
Crucially, all of this work has been carried out in a period-appropriate style, ensuring the finished result feels authentic to the age and character of the building, rather than overtly modern.
A New Chapter, Built on Respect for the Past
Today, the former Bell has begun a new chapter as a comfortable and characterful family home, blending modern living with historic integrity.
This project demonstrates our approach clearly: understand the building first, respect its history, and then improve it in a way that works with the house, not against it.
If you own a period or listed property and are considering renovation, we are always happy to have an honest, practical conversation.
Period Property Specialists
Wickins & Associates
