Green Light for Phase 2

The Cobham Park Heritage Project has been awarded funding by the Department of Communities and Local Government to undertake Phase 2.  The award was in recognition of the importance of the Cobham area as a major green space making a valuable contribution
to the Thames Gateway Green Grid.

Phase 2 works will include the restoration of internal decorative features in the Darnley Mausoleum, the repair and conversion of a barn at South Lodge to provide low key visitor facilities and staff accommodation, as well as further works to the historic landscapes of Cobham Park including access improvements.

Following the successful completion of Phase 1 works, Phase 2 is already underway at the Darnley Mausoleum.  In the coming months works will include:

- addition of marble cladding to the columns in the chapel
-  insertion of high level painted windows
-  painting of the newly restored chapel ceiling
-  replacement of the marble alter slab
-  full repair of the internal Portland stonework
-  external landscaping

Visitors to Cobham Wood will notice a dramatic change from how the building looked prior to work starting in summer 2006.  The results of Phase 1 are truly stunning.

The derelict barn to the rear of South Lodge will be restored to create residential and office accommodation for a warden when the Darnley Mausoleum and Cobham Wood is handed to the National Trust (planned for September 2008).  In addition it will accommodate modest visitor facilities including a shelter, toilets and interpretive material. Advanced works including an archaeological investigation have been carried out, and the main contract will be let in January for completion by the end of June 2008.

In addition, CLG funding has provided for the acquisition by CAMS of West Park.  The purchase will secure its long term management as organic grazing land, and will allow access to be improved across Cobham Park with the creation of new permissive routes.

It is expected that Phase 2 will be completed in 2008/2009. On completion of the repairs to the Darnley Mausoleum the National Trust will take up ownership of the Mausoleum and the surrounding 200 acres of Cobham Wood, and will provide the resources necessary for their long term management.