Letter: The National Trust Should Be Ashamed of Themselves

Published on: 11 Mar, 2025
Updated on: 11 Mar, 2025

From Niels Laub

Dip Arch RIBA

In response to: Controversial Plan for Fire-gutted Clandon House Approved Unanimously

On the whole, Emily Dalton’s piece on Clandon Park is a well-balanced and well-informed article.

But let us be clear about this. It would be quite misleading to claim that Clandon Park will be restored or “brought back to life”.

The National Trust only intends to restore the external façade by replacing badly damaged windows and reinstating the roof, albeit with a flat roof, which will become a viewing platform and outside cafeteria space for visitors.

What was once the only surviving work by the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni, who gave us the “The Four books on Architecture” by Andrea Palladio, which was to introduce classical architecture to England and give birth to Georgian architecture, probably the finest architectural period we have ever known, will now become a tourist attraction where people can come to look at the burnt-out shell and enjoy a cup of tea on the roof.

I think the National Trust should be ashamed of themselves. Guildford, and indeed England, has lost a heritage asset of national importance and an extraordinary example of a Palladian interior.

What will our children learn from admiring the burnt-out shell of this building?

Responses to Letter: The National Trust Should Be Ashamed of Themselves

David Roberts Reply

March 11, 2025 at 5:15 pm

If the National Trust should be ashamed, it is for letting Clandon House burn down in the first place.

While we’ve seen a lot of heart-warming publicity about various minor objects being saved from the blaze, and much self-congratulation about the restoration/conversion project, I am not aware of any information about how the house managed to catch fire during public opening hours or who was responsible. The Trust’s reaction seemed to be that, well, it was just one of those things; accidents happen.

Was there an inquiry? Did heads roll? I would have more confidence in the Trust if it explained.

Editor’s response: Please see – Fire Investigation Report – Clandon Park House here.
Martin Elliott Reply

March 11, 2025 at 10:31 pm

Remember also that a major fire like this is usually due to a series of factors and unsafe conditions coming together. Sometimes in combination, often in series. Remove one and the event is prevented.

According to the investigation, safety surveys, reported to the National Trust had identified every significant factor in the fire and its rapid spread, including faulty electrical installation and a lack of fire blocks.

Despite this, The National Trust had not carried out, or scheduled, any remedial work to eliminate these serious hazards,

This not the first fire where the National Trust has demonstrated a complete lack responsibility in protecting our national heritage.
Sylvia Flanagan Reply

March 12, 2025 at 4:50 pm

I’m now wondering about the safety of other NT properties that I might visit this year. It is a shame that Clandon won’t be rebuilt but I understand the costs would be too much.

I have happy memories of visiting several Christmas Carol afternoons where children could meet Santa.

One year there was a gentleman percussionist who brought the children on stage and gave them an instrument to play. Their little faces said it all.

The Oxford singers were so good, especially the young lady soloist whose voice could be heard from high above on a balcony. Magic.
David Roberts Reply

March 12, 2025 at 6:54 pm

Martin Elliott is right about the National Trust’s blasé attitude, which has included statements about old buildings burning down from time to time.

I’m grateful to the Dragon editor for finding Fire Investigation Report, but this is only a technical document, identifying the proximate cause of the fire as an electrical short circuit. It says that this “would have repeatedly overheated, when subject to sufficient electrical load, ever since the distribution board was fitted.” It also says that the blaze spread because it was “not contained through adequate fire compartmentalisation,” which is merely stating the obvious.

This leaves open the question of why the Trust allowed a persistent electrical overload to persist (for how long?), and why the circuitry was not fire-insulated. Nor do we know who was responsible for this or what steps, if any, were taken to hold them to account.

It all looks very amateurish.
Valerie Thompson Reply

March 14, 2025 at 2:51 pm

I, for one, will never visit Clandon Park again. I think the decision is appalling. After 300+ letters of protest and only about 100 letters of approval, one would have thought the majority might have had some influence.

As for the expense, Clandon was extremely well insured, so what have the NT done with the money? Surely the internal staircase and pointless viewing platform on the roof will not use up all the funds.