Restoration of Iconic 18th Century Lion Bridge

Burghley Estate has recently completed work on the iconic Lion Bridge following an eight-month restoration project, part funded by the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The restoration work to Lion Bridge had been classified as urgent when regular quinquennial inspections revealed the structure was at risk due to water ingress through parapets and road surface causing a gradual and chronic deterioration.

Lion Bridge was designed by Britain’s most famous landscape designer, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, who masterminded extensive re-landscaping and alterations to Burghley Park and House between 1755 and 1778. The bridge is integral to one of the most-loved vistas of Burghley House and forms the backdrop to the signature water-jump feature in the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross country course.

Ensuring the Grade I listed Lion Bridge is preserved for the next 100+ years has involved a range of specialist conservation and restoration techniques, expertise, and materials. The project progressed using a combination of locally based companies who worked with a very experienced conservation contractor all overseen by Burghley’s own management team. Every element of the works were carried out in close consultation with Historic England to ensure the works were historically accurate, sustainable, and aesthetically appropriate.

The work undertaken to Lion Bridge - one of Burghley’s biggest preservation projects – was made possible thanks to the Culture Recovery Fund set up to protect heritage, arts and cultural organisations across England from the economic impact of Covid-19. Burghley House was one of 142 Heritage sites in England which were selected to receive funding from the Grants for Programmes of Major Works under the Culture Recovery Fund to help pay for vital repair projects and conservation work. Burghley Estate was awarded a grant of over £400k and invested a further £110k itself.