Uppingham Cricket Pavilion, Uppingham School

Continuing a strong and successful relationship with Uppingham School, SDC Special Projects has handed over Uppingham Cricket Pavilion, a project which sought to repair and reinvigorate this listed and historically important building for the 21st century.

Built in 1923 to the designs or Sir Walter Tapper, the building was recognised and listed as Grade II by Historic England in 2018, who noted it is of a ‘late Arts and Crafts design of considerable architectural merit’.

Being implicitly aware of the listed features, the sympathetic external restoration works included a complete re-thatch of the existing deep thatched roof as well as restoration of aspects lost in 2000 due to major structural issues, including the score box area and a centre-mounted clockface which was once synonymous with the facility. One of the key features of the external fabric of the building is the oak balcony; the cladding, shutter doors, handrailing and balustrading were meticulously machined by Advanced Joinery Solutions for on-site installation. Elements such as the stone dressings, lime sand render and original doors were also restored.

Internally, a commercial prep kitchen was installed, along with the refurbishment of both changing rooms, including new showers and WC facilities. The main club room has also been beautifully renovated with new flooring and the installation of energy-saving LED uplighting to illuminate the delicate original foliate plasterwork on the ceiling.

Great care was taken by the project team to protect the antique furniture and wood panelled walls during the structural and decorative works, the latter of which including inscriptions dating back to 1856. To innovate the building, while ensuring its historic integrity, electrical supplies, WIFI, and water supplies were also upgraded.