Work has begun on restoring the Ravenscourt Park Tea House in Hammersmith to its former glory, under the guidance of Burrell Foley Fischer. Two centuries old and Grade ll-listed, the building will gain a new roof as well as modern, fully accessible public toilets as part of a top-to-bottom restoration and refurbishment.
The Tea House at Ravenscourt Park was formerly the eastern wing of the original stable block that formed part of the overall Ravenscourt Park Estate and dates from the eighteenth century with various later extensions. The building was converted to a refreshment room in the late nineteenth century and the ground floor has been running as a well-loved and popular café. The building provides a focus for Ravenscourt Park and much needed amenities in the form of the café and public conveniences.
The building has endured a long period of deterioration, resulting in damage to the roof and external fabric in many areas both externally and internally. As well as a new roof in the main building, and new loos, many of the roof timbers and joists are being restored or replaced, together with repairs to the drainage, guttering, windows and doors.
The current much-needed programme of improvements will secure the building’s future and ensure it provides many more years of service where patrons can visit and use the building as a quality tearoom. The Friends of Ravenscourt Park have welcomed the restoration of the tea house. It’s heritage significance is very much appreciated by local people and, following these restoration works, it will once again be a popular place of attraction for people to visit and cherish.