Winterbourne Botanic Garden

More and more of the large gardens around the country are finding that the magnificent Victorian greenhouses in their kitchen gardens are coming to the end of their lives.
These were timber greenhouses supported by intricate internal ironwork. The ironwork was strong and often very decorative but the timber is less enduring. The timber used was the best quality, properly seasoned and well worked but it cannot last as well as caste iron The wood preservative in use in 1900 was white lead paint. The gardens that are open to the public would be incomplete without their greenhouse. Once a property has achieved “Listed” status the greenhouse becomes a challenge. These Victorian palaces to plants have their own structural and environmental problems. To enclose a well lit airy space in which plants can grow and at the same time to produce an environment conducive to healthy plant growth is a skill that the Victorians honed over years and is now almost lost. MDF board does not do well in a hot and humid atmosphere.
C.H.Whitehouse Ltd. are a small family firm who “time has passed by” but we still have the old skills in greenhouse manufacture. With our skilled workforce of craftsmen carpenters we are able to recreate these Victorian structures. We have only been making greenhouses since the 1920 so we were not there for the Victorian boom in greenhouse manufacture but we did learn the traditional woodworking skills. We use these skills to make all kinds of timber buildings, at one time we made, bird boxes and bungalows, gates and greenhouses. We have specialised over time and now make a wide range of very traditional Western Red Cedar greenhouses to Edwardian designs plus a range of modern shaped greenhouses but using traditional greenhouse technology and carpentry skills. They are all individually hand finished and assembled.
Over the past few years we have taken on commissions to restore or recreate greenhouses at Chelsea Physic Garden, Westminster Abbey, Arundel Castle and Winterbourne Botanic Garden in Birmingham. There are many other private gardens where we have rescued Victorian greenhouses.
Those gardens that are open to the public would be incomplete without their greenhouse but they have become a challenge to the owner. Often the only answer available is demolition in the name of safety. We can offer a more attractive alternative.
Prior to 1914 there were many firms making greenhouses but by 1920 the loss of manpower and skills lead to the amalgamation of many of these firms. "Messengers" based in Loughborough started in 1858, Boulton & Paul base in Norwich and "Foster & Pearson" based in Beeston, Nottingham, were among the most famous. Few of these Companies have survived but many of their greenhouses still stand. There are still many fine examples of the work of the Victorian greenhouse manufacturers around the country. We are able to rescue these structures. We have archival material and practical experience which enable us to recreate these magnificent structures. We can also act as consultants if you wish to use our expertise but not our labour.

Before – The challenge

Before – Showing its age

Underway in the workshop

On site and looking good

After – The finished greenhouse