Past has a future

Barbara Rowlings has lived at Bolton Percy for the last 25 years and for 10 of these she was the landlady of the village pub, The Crown Inn. Now, though, she's the caretaker of what is probably the village's most unusual building thanks to innovative thinking and a major restoration.

Built in the mid-15th century, Bolton Percy Gatehouse is probably as charming an example of vernacular Tudor architecture to be found anywhere. The village, 10 miles south-west of York, featured in the Domesday Book and has had a church since the 1100s. Bolton Percy became an important religious focal point, attracting visiting clergy from all over the country. The Gatehouse was originally thought to be a lodging place for these many visiting clerics, hence the grand design with high ceilings and beautiful carvings in its oak beams. However, little is known about who actually stayed there.

It's now the only remaining section of what was originally a large complex of buildings around a courtyard. It was later used as a tithe barn when the original burnt down.

In recent years, the Gatehouse had fallen into disrepair – a 1970s renovation used materials that were later found to be detrimental to the building, and the west wing collapsed, leaving this historic building in dire need of attention. It had been on English Heritage's buildings at risk register for 10 years and although used occasionally for successful village events, it was in need of a new use which would earn an income to cover maintenance and running costs.

Step forward the Vivat Trust, a small historic buildings outfit specialising in funding the restoration of buildings through letting them as holiday homes. The trust saw the potential of both the house and its beautiful setting and took it on as a major project.

This has been their first restoration project in a decade and was very much a hands-on affair according to one of the trust's directors, Alice Yates, who is based at trust HQ in Hereford.

To start with, Alice applied for project funding, gaining grants from English Heritage, the Country Houses Foundation and Yorkshire Forward, as well as a loan from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Once the cash was secured (the cost was 270,000 in total), Alice worked closely with local architect Peter Pace and a team of skilled local craftspeople including Barbara Rowlings's husband Dennis, who is a joiner.

The building had to be stripped back to the oak frame and the lathe and lime plaster renewed. The high ceiling was insulated and some of the beams replaced. New oak windows replaced unsympathetic 1970s ones. A kitchen and bathroom were installed downstairs, leaving the upstairs as a beautiful open plan living space with exposed beams – some featuring original relief carvings – and a stunning oak staircase.

The building and restoration work complete, challenges still remained.

"We had four weeks to get the interior ready and revamp the garden before the first guests arrived," says Alice.

The focal point of the first floor is a medieval-style canopy bed. Alice spent two weeks trawling auctions and charity shops for complementary pieces.

"That's when I discovered Malton," says Alice. "We found absolutely everything we needed there, from furniture to pots and pans through the various shops, charity shops and Boulton & Cooper auctions' rooms. I'm absolutely dotty about the place now!"

With the interior ready, the garden – derelict and overgrown – presented the next task. Alice and other members of the trust worked with local gardener Matt Brown to turn it around in two days, laying gravel, grass and a basic border.

Barbara Rowlings could hardly believe the transformation. "The house looks so amazing that I've even had people asking me if had always been here as they hadn't noticed it before!"

The Vivat Trust: 0845 090 0194, www.vivat.org.uk/

YP MAG 11/9/10