Last week, the MSc students in Architectural Conservation were granted an extraordinary behind-the-scenes tour of Canterbury Cathedral, led by Jonathan Deeming, Partner at Purcell Architects and surveyor of the fabric of the Cathedral. The visit offered a rare insight into the meticulous conservation work that keeps this historic masterpiece standing.
Our journey began at the cathedral’s gate, where newly restored stonework with delicate relief decoration sits alongside carefully preserved earlier fabric, including early 20th-century plastic repairs. The masons demonstrated the final stages of sculptural work, explaining how stone selection, carving, and cleaning methods are tailored to harmonize with centuries of accumulated layers.
From there, we moved to the South Transept window, discussing its behaviour after a recent restoration. We then ascended to the normally inaccessible roofs, exploring the recent interventions at the connections between trusses and wall plates. Jonathan guided us through the complex challenges of ventilating a roof sheathed in lead and sarking, highlighting how subtle technical choices can have a profound impact on the long-term preservation of historic fabric.
Our final stop was the Lady Chapel, where beautifully restored sculptures and luminous stained glass offered a striking example of how conservation can revive the cathedral’s artistic and spiritual heritage. For the students, the tour was an unforgettable opportunity to witness conservation in action, blending craft, strategy, and scholarship to safeguard a living historic monument.
To apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2025/362/architectural-conservation/