Christmas at Combermere Marks 23 Years of Restoration

15 December 2015 It was the week before Christmas, and festivities are in full swing at Combermere Abbey, as an eventful year in the abbey’s restoration phase comes to a close.

Plasterers, painters and workmen took a break from their decorating duties to get suitably festive and take stock of how far the abbey has come before it opens it’s newly refurbished doors to the public in April 2016.

Sarah Callander Beckett and her family have been driving the restoration project since she inherited the 900 year-old abbey in 1992. Sarah said: “We’ve been working round the clock this year to get the abbey restored to its former glory and it’s been a labour of love by all involved.

“We’ve had our set-backs, from the terribly wet weather that has delayed the exterior painting project using specialist Keim paints, developed for historic buildings, to unforeseen structural issues with timber framing. However, we’re on track to start our exciting new venture as we look to diversify further to the public with exquisite bridal accommodation, opening in April 2016.

“To mark Christmas, and welcome our holiday guests staying with us, each cottage is decorated, as well as lighting up key trees around the cottages and walled gardens. We even have one cottage still available due to a last minute cancellation. Each cottage has a special Christmas Hampers full of local delicacies – Cheshire cheese, port, and chocolates and the Radio Times! .”

For more information about this historic restoration project, visit http://www.combermere-restoration.co.uk/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

For more information, contact katy@thinkdewinter.co.uk or call 01244 320677

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