Wymering Manor secures £180,000 for urgent repairs to save historic building

One of Portsmouth’s oldest building is set to receive £180,000 for urgent repairs, as new grant aims to save the historic Wymering Manor.

It features in the latest round of the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and Heritage at Risk Capital Fund is expected to protect nine buildings across the country.

Wymering Manor in Cosham, which has been offered a grant of £180,407 which the government said would help “reinvigorate local pride” while protecting “local heritage buildings long into the future”.

The money will be used for conservation work on the north-west corner of the historic manor, repairing and stabilising the north gable and timber frame.

The work will address decay caused by water ingress, vegetation growth and poor drainage.

New rooms will be opened up for commercial and community use as part of the work, including the drawing room and Queen Emma’s bedroom.

This will support a long-term ambition for the manor to serve as a hub for events, tours and venue hire.

Penny Mordaunt, former MP for Portsmouth North and president of the Wymering Manor Trust, welcomed the “good news”.

She described the manor as an “incredible community and heritage asset in a wonderful part of the north of the city”.

“Congratulations to all the volunteers and the board of the trust that work so hard to keep the Wymering Manor going to keep it as a viable and much loved community building.”

Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of the Portsmouth City Council, said there had “always been aspirations to see it fully restored”, but questions remained over “where the funding would come from so I’m delighted to see a successful application”.

“Thanks to this funding, the much loved buildings that fill our hometowns with character will be keeping the doors open to communities for years to come.”

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Nothing tells the stories of our nation quite like the historic buildings at the heart of our communities. But too often they are a far cry from their former glory with leaking roofs and crumbling stonework.

Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “It’s great news that Wymering Manor has secured £180,000 in funding for these vital repairs. This is fantastic news for the charity and a significant boost to the work being done to protect one of Portsmouth’s most important historic buildings.

“This achievement is also a testament to the brilliant volunteers who give up their time, energy and expertise to keep Wymering Manor going. Their dedication and passion are invaluable and they deserve enormous credit for everything they do to preserve this special part of Portsmouth’s heritage.

“I’m really pleased to have helped them with this bid, meeting with Historic England here in Portsmouth, writing a letter in support of the bid and making representations in Parliament, I’m really pleased to have played a part in helping secure this funding. I know this money will go a long way in safeguarding Wymering Manor for future generations and helping the charity continue its important work in our community.”

Known as Portsmouth’s oldest domestic building, the Grade II* listed manor dates predominantly from the 16th century.

However, its history stretches back further, as the site may have been near a Roman outpost used to defend Portchester Castle.

The cellars are reportedly Saxon in origin, and the land was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The current building was constructed in 1581 and has changed hands considerably over the centuries.

In the 1960s, it was purchased by Portsmouth City Council and leased to the Youth Hostel Association for 40 years.

In 2013, the property was transferred to the trust, which has been campaigning for its preservation ever since.