Restoration work on the Lansdowne Monument near Calne has taken another step forward, with new scaffolding now in place around the historic landmark.
The 38-metre monument on Cherhill Down has been waiting for major conservation work for years, with scaffolding and protective netting surrounding it since 2014 because of concerns about deteriorating stonework.
The latest scaffolding has been designed and installed by Bristol-based Shield Services Group, working with conservation specialists Cliveden Conservation.
Getting the equipment and materials up to the monument was not straightforward. The steep, heavily rutted track leading to the site meant large vehicles could not travel far up, while four-wheel-drive access depended on the condition of the ground.
A local farmer helped the team move materials to the site, allowing the scaffolding work to go ahead despite the difficult access.
The scaffolding installation was completed in 19 days and now provides the safe access needed for Cliveden Conservation's specialist teams to carry out the restoration and conservation work.
The Lansdowne Monument, also known as the Cherhill Monument, was built in 1845 and is a Grade II listed monument. It stands on Cherhill Down and is visible across much of the surrounding countryside.
The monument has been listed by Historic England as being in poor condition and at high vulnerability, with the condition of its stonework a long-standing concern.
Earlier this year, the National Trust confirmed that the next phase of conservation repairs had begun, with work including the replacement of frost-damaged limestone cornerstones and repointing of the external stonework. The majority of the repairs were expected to be completed by the end of 2026, although the work is weather-dependent because of the monument's exposed location.
The completed scaffolding means the conservation team can now work around the full height of the monument as the restoration progresses.
