Recent research into the Sun Inn, Saffron Walden by Douglas Kent
2026-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London)
The Old Sun Inn is an enchanting and much-cherished Grade I-listed historic building in Saffron Walden, Essex displaying some of the best pargeting – external decorative plasterwork – in England. Originally medieval houses, then later an inn, the property has subsequently been in mixed commercial and domestic use. The Old Sun Inn is currently undergoing a programme of major conservation, including work to its unique pargeting. The building, though, is open for visits and events by prior appointment or at other advertised times. You can find more about the building at https://oldsuninn.com/

Douglas has worked in the public and private sectors, offering advice on historic buildings to a range of organisations, such as English Heritage. He publishes and lectures regularly on building conservation and has contributed to various radio and television programmes. He also serves on many committees for organisations devoted to the historic built environment. In 2013, he became Chairman of the Hundred Parishes Society. Douglas is leading the conservation of the Old Sun Inn.

The Old Sun Inn is an enchanting and much-cherished Grade I-listed historic building in Saffron Walden, Essex displaying some of the best pargeting – external decorative plasterwork – in England. Originally medieval houses, then later an inn, the property has subsequently been in mixed commercial and domestic use. The Old Sun Inn is currently undergoing a programme of major conservation, including work to its unique pargeting. The building, though, is open for visits and events by prior appointment or at other advertised times. You can find more about the building at https://oldsuninn.com/

Douglas has worked in the public and private sectors, offering advice on historic buildings to a range of organisations, such as English Heritage. He publishes and lectures regularly on building conservation and has contributed to various radio and television programmes. He also serves on many committees for organisations devoted to the historic built environment. In 2013, he became Chairman of the Hundred Parishes Society. Douglas is leading the conservation of the Old Sun Inn.

Walpole Old Chapel
2026-03-16 19:00 - 20:00
Walpole Old Chapel – Katie Langridge, Cliveden Conservation
Walpole Old Chapel began life as a late 16th century farmhouse, and from outside, very little has changed. However, its interior was transformed in the mid-17th century into a non-conformist chapel, one of the best preserved of its kind – SHBG held an AGM there a few years back. It served its community for almost 300 years before closing in 1970 and is now owned by the Historic Chapels Trust and cared for by a group of local volunteers. Following several years of fundraising, a programme of repairs began in April this year, with Cliveden Conservation appointed as lead project managers of the first phase of work. Katie will tell us about the architecture of the building and the various aspects of repair works being carried out.
Katie Langridge is Head of Conservation and Operations in Cliveden’s East of England office.
