Restoration Home

In Tudor times, the majority of houses were timber-framed but only a few survive. Abbey Lane in Warwickshire is a forgotten gem. Believed to date from the early 16th century, this house is not formally protected as a listed building and when it was put on the market, it was clear it needed a lot of work. Professional couple, Sally and Stuart, had been searching for their ideal family home. They saw past the decay, recognised its potential and bought it. The puzzle surrounding Abbey Lane is that its timber frame is unusually elm and not oak. Other architectural features indicate that it was more than a family house. One thing is for certain, the condition of the timber skeleton is shockingly frail and half of the rear frame needs rebuilding. Costs slip and work stops. Will Sally and Stuart manage to turn Abbey Lane into their dream home?