Hidden Catholic Lodge Reopens After Restoration

A renowned Elizabethan lodge, Lyveden Lodge, has reopened its doors to the public following extensive conservation efforts that spanned 18 months. Located near Oundle, Northamptonshire, this National Trust-owned property, built by Sir Thomas Tresham in the late 16th century, required crucial repairs to its damaged oak elements and stonework. The conservation teams also undertook vital repointing of the lodge’s walls, ensuring its preservation.

The lodge, which remains unfinished, is noted for its intricate Roman Catholic symbolism and sits within one of England's oldest surviving gardens. Sir Thomas Tresham, a staunch Catholic who faced persecution for his faith, designed the lodge incorporating Christian numerology, such as the number seven representing the Passion of Christ. His son inherited the estate but was involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

Matthew Glasgow, senior building surveyor, expressed excitement for visitors to experience the lodge again, acknowledging that further conservation will be needed in the future. The project prioritised sensitive and sustainable repairs, with close collaboration with ecologists to protect bat habitats. The wider National Trust site remained accessible during the repairs.