Heritage Carpentry & Building Work at Richborough Roman Fort / Town Carpentry Ltd

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Richborough Roman Fort is an important Roman archaeological site near Sandwich in Kent. It was one of the key Roman sites in Britain and is traditionally associated with the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43. The site developed from a military fort into a major port and settlement, serving as an important gateway between Britain and the Roman Empire.

We are extremely grateful and proud to have played such an important role in the development of the scheduled monument at Richborough Roman Fort, near Sandwich, Kent.

Town Carpentry Ltd were appointed to help design and construct a replica of the original Roman gate tower, together with sections of the fort’s defensive palisade. Dating back to the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43, the project was designed to create an accessible and engaging experience for visitors, allowing members of the public to better understand and appreciate the archaeological footprint of this historically significant site.

Alongside the construction of the replica fortifications, we were also involved in the full refurbishment of the museum and education centre, helping to bring new life to the existing visitor facilities.

Working closely with the architects and structural engineers, we developed a practical yet striking timber structure that remained sympathetic to the Roman character and historical significance of the site. This involved careful consideration of the design, materials and construction methods required for a project within such a sensitive and important scheduled monument.

As part of our involvement, we also managed the procurement of the materials required for the fort structures. Once the final design and materials were established, our skilled team constructed the tower and adjoining palisade walls at our workshop. Completing much of the fabrication off-site allowed us to achieve a high level of quality and precision before transporting the structures to Richborough for installation.

Our experienced site team then carefully erected the timber tower and palisade in their historically appropriate locations, creating a robust and visually striking interpretation of the original Roman defences.

It was a true honour and pleasure for everyone at Town Carpentry Ltd to contribute to such a historically sensitive and important location. Projects such as Richborough Roman Fort allow us to combine traditional craftsmanship, modern construction techniques and practical design to help preserve and interpret our heritage for future generations.

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What our customers say

We take great pride in the quality of our work and the relationships we build with our customers. Read what our clients have to say about their experience working with Town Carpentry Ltd.

The Town Carpentry team are highly skilled in the building trade, with strengths in period properties, oak frames, and traditional construction techniques. Matt and his team offer constructive ideas, supported by their extensive experience in crafting beautiful spaces. A pleasure to work with.

I write this review unsolicited and because I think this company deserves full credit for a highly professional service. Throughout the whole building programme, I found Rob Town extremely competent in the execution of the works and forthcoming with advice and suggestions. Moreover, his team on site were hard working and always approachable and friendly.

Beautiful traditional timber framing. The guys at Town Carpentry are proper professionals with a deep knowledge of their material and generational expertise. They have a deep love for the history of their trade, and it shows through in the work they do.

We think Town Carpentry are a great company and cannot praise them enough. They are involved in the very long project of all aspects renovating our 300 year old Grade II listed 10 room home. They have discussed , listened and carried out work to a very high standard. Especially keeping work to match the design and age of the house. Rob and Matt have a fantastic team of experienced guys and apprentices.

Town Carpentry made an exceptional contribution to our project. From the outset they showed careful and precise planning, coupled with intelligent questioning of our designs, resulting in helpful modifications. Their high standard of craftsmanship and smooth, efficient construction was a pleasure to witness and was coupled with a positive attitude and friendly good humour. I would not hesitate to work with them again.

Amazing carpentry business. My job was low level for Rob who is a master carpenter. I was in awe of some of the work he’d previously done but I was theilled with my kitchen work surfaces and it does show that no job is too small even though I believe Town Carpentry are even designing and making Shepherds Huts! Totally brilliant service and lively people to deal with. Highly recommended.

Having had the privilege to see the work of Town Carpentry and its expert crafters first hand in both residential and historic project contexts I can wholeheartedly recommend their excellent work for any carpentry projects you may be considering. The skill and dedication of the workers is exemplified in the design choices, working methods and aesthetically pleasing results.

We are very pleased with the work that Town Carpentry did for us. Matt and his team were very professional and informative. They liased with us throughout the entire process, which was very helpful. We were very impressed with the level of craftsmanship and the finish that they achieved. We will definitely be using them again for our next project!

Town Carpentry combine a rare skillset with a depth of knowledge and experience that is second to none. We have always valued their friendly approach and their understanding of our scheduling and budget requirements. You will not find better than Town Carpentry!

We engaged Town Carpentry to replace our conservatory with something bespoke. Service was excellent from start to finish working with our specific requirements and within our budget. The end result exceeded our expectations and we are extremely happy. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Town Carpentry were incredibly knowledgeable and talented in constructing our authentic Anglo-Saxon timber buildings and our much requested foot bridge. It was an amazing experience to see people working with old English oak.

We recently instructed Town Carpentry. The whole process was seamless and smooth from start to finish. The team were incredibly professional throughout and the final product was exceptional and of the highest quality. I would recommend Town Carpentry to anyone.

Richborough Roman Fort