A plasterer from Bristol has used his multitude of construction skills to restore a Grade II-listed estate lodge in to the hope of his dreams.
Mark Budd bought the lodge – one of five surrounding the Kings Weston Estate between Stoke Bishop and Shirehampton – two years ago as a project into which he could channel his out-of-work energy.
His skills as a builder and plasterer meant that he was able to turn his hand to most of the jobs that needed doing in the house and, for the ones that he couldn’t quite manage – he had a large bank of friends from the construction industry that he could call on for a helping hand.
The lodge was originally built in the 1760s, designed by the architect Robert Mylne, who also worked on the stables at Kings Weston House and on the stables on the estate. Mark told the Bristol Evening Post that, now he has finished work on the pristine home – which comes complete with an imposing columned porch among many period features – he may well be on the look out for a new project.
“I bought it so I could do it up and if I sell it for