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Oldway

Find out more about our plans to restore Oldway Mansion.

Updated 1 November 2024

Oldway has been at the heart of Paignton for many years and is one of the largest and grandest Victorian buildings in the Southwest.

The much-loved community asset needs a new lease of life, and we are committed to identifying a sustainable and resilient future for the building.

Although the mansion and other buildings on the site have been empty for several years, local volunteers have worked hard to keep the gardens open to visitors.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we secured nearly £240,000 to run a ‘Developing a resilient future for Oldway’ project. This project explored and considered longer-term options for Oldway Mansion, the wider estate and gardens and produced a detailed Masterplan and Conservation Management Strategy.

Read the Developing a Resilient Future for Oldway report

Delivering Phase 1 of the restoration project

We have assembled an expert project team that will be delivering Phase 1 of the Oldway Mansion restoration project.

Phase 1 of the restoration project is being funded by £1million committed by us, and £8million of government funding.

To ensure that our restoration efforts are both effective and respectful of Oldway’s heritage, we need to fully understand the building. We’ve been gathering as much information as we can on the building, as part of this work we have also:

  • Completed a dry rot survey
  • Appointed a Conservation Architect
  • Put together a programme of urgent repair work
  • Carried out emergency roof repairs
  • Built a 3D model of the building

Watch this video to learn more about developing a 3D model of the building.

In early 2025 we will start to put scaffolding up at areas of the main Mansion in preparation for roof repair work to begin. Scaffolding will be in place, to the external walls of the building, and will be in place over a few months. There are approximately 13 different types of roofs to the main Mansion, meaning that one section at a time will be carefully repaired. Roof repair work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

This work is a major step forward in restoring Oldway Mansion, but there is still a long way to go.

The grounds of Oldway remain open to the public.

Watch Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of the Council talk about our restoration plans.

Longer-term restoration plans

The restoration of Oldway is one of our most complex regeneration projects.

The cost of fully restoring Oldway Mansion is forecasted to be in the region of £54 million. A co-investment and delivery approach will be needed, meaning restoration is likely to be phased over several years.

Any final plans for the site will need to ensure that Oldway has a viable and sustainable future.

Working with key partners

Restoring Oldway will require us to work with our public and private sector partners, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

Related news

Image of the project team who are working on the ‘Developing a resilient future for Oldway’ project.