British stately home destroyed by fire to be restored

A grand 18th century mansion is to be brought back to life after being reduced to a charred shell in a devastating fire, the British National Trust has announced.

Clandon Park in 2010. Image by Patrick Gruban / CC BY-SA 2.0

The charity revealed its biggest conservation project in a generation after the inferno at Clandon Park – which housed a major collection of furniture, porcelain and textiles.

Thousands of items were feared lost when the fire led to the roof and floors collapsing last April 29 at the Grade I listed stately home, regarded as one of Britain’s finest Palladian mansions. No one was hurt, but 95% of the house, near Guildford, Surrey was damaged.

(Press Association)