Hurst Castle – Coode Conservation

During 2017 we worked at Hurst Castle to conserve and restore railings and ammunition locker doors on the ¼ mile long rooftop. Working at Hurst Castle required a number of both logistical and technical challenges to be overcome, most of which derived from the positioning of the castle on a narrow spit of land extending into the sea. The marine environment in which the castle is situated is extremely hostile for ferrous metals, which meant significant amounts of corrosion had to be removed and repairs made before a specialist coating system was applied.

Access was extremely limited, with all tools, personnel and materials having to be transported in and out by ferry once a day.
The ammunition locker doors were heavily corroded, with the hinges and door furniture immobile.
Corrosion products made up a significant proportion of the remaining material of the ammunition locker doors.
There was just enough sound material left to stabilise the doors and restore them to full working order.
The handrails showing advanced corrosion prior to treatment.
Handrails were retained where possible and new material was introduced where necessary. All the upright supports were saved.
Most of the cast iron chimneys were corroded but sound. Some however needed restoration.
This is the same chimney restored.