Lottery boost for 'leaning tower'

The tower is only half its original height

Work to straighten Durham's own 18th century 'Leaning Tower' is due to begin.

The £4m scheme to restore the Georgian gardens at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, got underway on Monday.

One of the key jobs will be correct the tilt on the park's own "Leaning Tower" so the stone-built structure can be saved and re-built to its full height.

Durham County Council has received vital funding towards the 10-year scheme from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The landscaped gardens at Hardwick were created in the 1750s by acclaimed architect James Paine.

We have always known we have a real jewel of a Georgian attraction waiting to be rediscovered Catherine Grezo, project officer

The large ornamental lake disappeared in the 1860s and only the mock-Gothic tower remains, at half its original height and leaning about four inches from the vertical.

As part of the restoration project, the council wants to re-build the tower to its full height of 50 feet.

Catherine Grezo, Hardwick Park project officer, said: "It would be neither safe nor practical to re-build the tower without correcting the lean or providing proper foundations.

"So - as happened with the famous bell tower at Pisa - we have called in specialist engineering consultants to advise us on the best way forward."

The landscaped gardens were created in the 1750s

Other aspects of the first phase restoration will be to excavate and restore the ornamental lake, and restore the Temple of Minerva, the Gothic seat, the Grand Terrace and the Circuit Walk.

A heritage resource centre, car park and new entrance also form part of the first phase work, together with measures to conserve and enhance the park's ecological value.

Ms Grezo added: "We have always known we have a real jewel of a Georgian attraction waiting to be rediscovered.

"When it is fully restored... it will be comparable in quality to the famous gardens of Stourhead and Stowe."

Keith Bartlett, North East manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "It is an exceptional heritage asset and one which will justifiably become a major visitor attraction in the North East and beyond."