|
Stroll along Cromer seafront to the boating lake
and you'll see a mass of scaffolding and green netting.
You might just pass it by as yet another building
project, but peer a little more closely and you'll see a Victorian
building called Ashbourne House which dates
back to the 1890s.
The house used to be a hotel, but over the years
it's fallen into disrepair. Now, thanks to a lottery grant, it's
being restored to its former glory.
View of Cromer boating lake from Ashbourne House |
Looking out from what will be the windows of four
apartments, there's a stunning view of Cromer Pier, the boating
lake and the tower of Cromer church which is the tallest in Norfolk.
The work on the outside of the building is almost
complete, but inside the building work will continue for some time.
Phillip Whitehead, the Townscape Heritage Initiative
Officer said he is proud of Cromer's heritage: "This building, like
many buildings in Cromer, originates from the late Victorian period
which was the heyday of the town.
"The late Georgian and Victorian periods saw
the town prosper as a holiday resort and during that period many
magnificent buildings were built in the town."
More than £1m is being spent on restoring
historic buildings in Cromer as part of the overall regeneration
of the town.
The Townscape Heritage Initiative is spending money
on repairing shop fronts along with original timber windows and
doors, all with traditional materials.
Entrance façade of the house |
The new owner of Ashbourne House, George Crawley,
is pleased with his purchase: "It was up for sale a year ago.
"Just looking at the outside of it, I thought
what a wonderful building it was and with the help of a grant, we
thought we could really improve it.
"Cromer's such a wonderful Victorian town
and unless these sort of buildings are restored, they will eventually
fall down.
"Thanks to the lottery grant, we can help
to return Cromer to how it used to be."
Back to Restoration index
|
View 
