Earlier this year West Horsley Place Trust was awarded a Lifeline grant of £13,648 from the Culture Recovery Fund by Historic England to carry out surveys and investigations on the Geraldine ceiling, which will inform vital conservation repairs, and this research will also enhance understanding about ceilings of this type.   

The Geraldine ceiling was built in 1547 and is believed to be the oldest decorative plasterwork ceiling in the country. It was created by Anthony Browne, who was gifted West Horsley Place by Henry VIII. The ceiling is decorated with plaster armorial badges and the initials of Anthony and his wife Elizabeth (also known as 'the fair Geraldine' thanks to Henry Howard's famous sonnet inspired by her). 

This month plasterwork conservation specialist, Peter Martindale, visited WHP to carry out an initial survey on the ceiling. We caught up with Peter, check out the below video.