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Broadfield has advised the Landmark Trust on the opening of Dover’s historic Mayor’s Parlour at Maison Dieu to guests looking for a striking and historic self-catering holiday.
Maison Dieu, meaning House of God, first opened to pilgrims travelling to Canterbury Cathedral in the 1200s, becoming in 1834 Dover’s Town Hall. Following significant remodelling by the notable Victorian architects Ambrose Poynter and William Burges, the Mayor’s Parlour epitomises ‘high Victorian’ style.
More recently, Dover District Council, with support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, has brought it back to vibrant use and is available for up to six guests for a unique short break or holiday.
Founded in 1965, The Landmark Trust is one of the UK’s leading building conservation charities. It rescues at-risk historic buildings and restores them into self-catering holiday accommodation welcoming everyone. It has over 200 properties in its portfolio.
Broadfield advised The Landmark Trust on a long lease on the Mayor’s Parlour and on an agreement for lease conditional on the Council carrying out significant renovation works to reinstate its historically important decorative scheme envisaged by its Victorian architects, including William Burges. The team, assisted by Susan Johnson, a Consultant at Broadfield with a wealth of experience in art and heritage property, also negotiated documentation enabling guests to enjoy the grandeur of the ceremonial council table designed by Burges’s brother-in-law Richard Popplewell Pullan as they dine in the Mayor’s Parlour.
The Broadfield team was led by Of Counsel Sarah Godfrey.
“It was a real privilege to work alongside the wonderful team at The Landmark Trust and to be involved in the opening of such a unique building to members of the public. It demonstrates perfectly the knowledge and skills Broadfield offers to historic and unusual building owners who look to restore and reimagine their use.”
Sarah Godfrey
Of Counsel
“We are thrilled to have worked alongside Dover District Council in making such an important and landmark building available for everyone to stay and experience the fast-vanishing high Victorian style. We are equally grateful to Sarah and the team at Broadfield for their expertise, advice and guidance that has made this possible both with the acquisition of the lease of the building and the all-important furnishings.”
Simon Verdon
Head of Land and Property at The Landmark Trust
