Ep 12. Oast House, Kent

In The Restoration Man season 2 episode 12, titled Oast House, Kent, viewers are taken on a journey to discover the restoration of a 19th century agricultural building located in Kent, England.

Presented by George Clarke, a renowned architect and restoration expert, this episode focuses on the renovation and transformation of an ancient oast house, traditionally used for drying hops used in the beer making process.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a detailed insight into the restoration process of this historic building, which has required a delicate balance of preservation and modernisation. The owners of the property, Sue and Tim, purchased the building with the vision of converting it into a comfortable and modern living space whilst retaining its unique heritage features.

As with many restoration projects, the restoration of the oast house was not an easy task. The original structure had fallen into a state of disrepair, and years of neglect had left the building in need of extensive repairs. Fixing the structural damage alone was a mammoth undertaking, with many of the floors and roofs in need of replacement and reinforcement.

However, the real challenge lay in the balancing act of retaining the building's original features while incorporating modern-day comforts and functionality. This involved preserving the unique roof vents that had originally been used for the hop-drying process, whilst converting them into skylights that would enable natural light to flow into the new living areas.

In addition to this, George Clarke was also tasked with finding space for a kitchen that needed to incorporate a large wood-burning stove. The owners' love of cooking and entertaining meant that a larger, open-plan living space was required, which was not an easy task given the structural limitations of the building.

Despite these challenges, the team working on the project was able to help turn Sue and Tim's dream into a reality. The result is a beautifully restored oast house that masterfully blends modern comfort with traditional heritage.

Throughout the episode, George Clarke's passion for restoration shines through as he walks viewers through the various stages of the project whilst sharing his insights and expertise on the challenges of restoring historic buildings.

Whether you're a fan of restoration projects or simply fascinated by the beauty of historic buildings, Oast House, Kent is an episode that is sure to inspire. Filled with heart and passion, it's a wonderful reminder of the importance of preserving our historic buildings for future generations to enjoy.