Garden Statuary, Furniture & Sculpture

‘Architectural Heritage’ – I remember as a young lad the kitchen table discussion about a name for the new company.  Some 40 years later and now well into its second generation, the company still has the energy, ambition and vibrant diversity of stock that made it such a success from the very first day.

In its earliest incarnation Architectural Heritage opened only at weekends and traded from the stable yard of Boddington Manor near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. At this time Architectural Heritage provided architectural salvage to Restaurants and Bars across the world – we supplied Isaac Tigrett with the furnishings for the very first Hard Rock Cafes in the USA and the legendary Tony White with fittings for his well known chain of hostelries in New Zealand, and later Australia, the most famous of which being the Queens Head in Wellington – all decked out with over fifty decorated Victorian loos!

Not all the business back then was to the trade; private clients – Ralph Lauren, pop stars – incognito, and Royalty – Prince Charles, all made special trips to ‘The greatest Junk Shop in the world’, according to the Sloan Rangers Handbook. Clients, as today, purchased antique panelled rooms, fireplaces, stained glass and sanitary ware, and always there is an exception; we once acquired the whole façade of a mock Tudor extension from the soon to be demolished Bourneville Factory.

Architectural-Heritage-Strawberry-Hill-Gothick

Currently, we have two amazing 17th century staircases and a Gothik 18th century interior from Lee Priory, designed by James Wyatt, with the only other known surviving elements being in the Victoria & Albert Museum (The Strawberry Room).

Alongside selling the antiques, a small line in reproduction sanitary ware, based on period designs, was developed.  This company grew quickly to be a fair size and eventually ‘Heritage Bathrooms’ was sold on and is still to this day a well known brand.

When the time came to expand further, the whole business uprooted from Boddington and moved 20 miles up the road to Taddington Manor, in the small hamlet of Taddington, on the top of the Cotswolds near Stow on the Wold – a move that took over two months with many lorry loads.

Architectural-Heritage

Whilst continuing to deal in the best architectural antiques, a small area that was always present – this being garden ornament – began to expand; as did the demand for high quality bespoke stone fireplaces, and so a range of fireplaces was developed based on the classic period designs in which Architectural Heritage has dealt over many decades.

A complementary reproduction garden ornament range, known as ‘The Country House Archive’, grew with new products added regularly, and this laid the foundations for the current ‘Fine Reproduction Garden Ornament Catalogue’, with its classically inspired collection of garden ornament fabricated in the traditional materials associated with high quality design and craftsmanship.

Architectural-Heritage-Animals

Architectural Heritage is now in the enviable position of being the world market leader for antique garden ornament and has, what is considered by many, to be the best range of fine reproduction garden ornament and fountains – bar none.  The company still holds an exceptional stock of museum quality architectural elements and makes bespoke stone fireplaces to order for prestigious projects worldwide.

It would be a pleasure to welcome you here at Taddington or to meet you virtually through our new website, where all our stock is on view and regular stock updates are sent to discerning clients worldwide.

Alex Puddy

Architectural-Heritage-Logo
Taddington Manor
Taddington
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL54 5RY
England

Tel: +44 (0) 1386 584414
Fax: +44 (0) 1386 584236

www.architectural-heritage.co.uk

puddy@architectural-heritage.co.uk

 

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014