13/03/2026
Take a look at some of the recent timber frame repairs at 77 Walmgate. Guy Bowyer, CEO & Conservation Architect writes:
York is rightly celebrated for its remarkable collection of historic buildings, but caring for them depends on skills that are becoming increasingly scarce. One area where this challenge is particularly clear is the repair of timber framed buildings.
It is estimated that York contains around 400 listed timber framed buildings. York Conservation Trust owns 20 of these, and our experience suggests that around 80% require some degree of repair. If that pattern is reflected across the wider city, roughly 320 timber framed buildings could require repair within the next five years, with perhaps half of those needing urgent attention.
Our recent work at 77 Walmgate illustrates the scale of the challenge. Initial inspections from ground level did not reveal the full extent of the problems within the timber frame. Once the building was opened up it became clear that a significant proportion of the gable front elevation required repair and replacement. Timber framed structures often conceal serious defects until work begins, and dealing with them properly requires a deep understanding of historic construction and specialist practical skills.
The video below shows just how complex these repairs can be and the level of craftsmanship required to undertake them correctly. Our thanks go to Stephen Jefferson and his team for their skill, care and hard work in carrying out these repairs.
York needs many more craftspeople with this level of expertise. Without them, the long term future of many of our historic buildings will be at risk. We are working with partners to encourage more training and opportunities in traditional building skills, but much more support will be needed if we are to ensure that the knowledge and craftsmanship required to care for buildings like these is not lost.
