Property renovators often talk about their trials and tribulations, of escalating budgets, and living in a building site. But the dramas are short-lived and the properties involved are of a manageable size. But what about the current trend of ordinary folk falling for the romance of a derelict historic building of palatial proportions, and taking on the task of bringing it back to life? Are the rewards – for them and the building – worth it?
Simon Hickman of Historic England believes so. ‘It allows fine examples of the nation’s heritage to be restored and reinhabited, rather than falling further into ruin or becoming museums,’ he says. For those who take such stupendous
