The 200-year leak inquiry: Source of water that’s blighted stately home  designed by Parliament architect since 1835 is found at last

A leak that has plagued this grand estate for nearly two centuries.

Over the years, moisture has seeped into the roof of the Kingston Lacy home, confusing experts who have compiled numerous reports on the subject.

But they eventually get to the root of the problem and discover a design flaw by a famous master architect.

Sir Charles Barry, known for his work on the Houses of Parliament, was commissioned in 1835 to design a new dome atop the 17th-century country house. However, he designed the windows of the dome-shaped structure to be glazed ‘from the inside out’.

This was probably to make the Dorset house appear more attractive to visitors, according to the National Trust.

This meant that the protective paste was applied to the inside of the glass rather than the outside.

It caused moisture to seep in more easily, causing wooden window frames to rot, destroying paint and requiring regular maintenance over the years.

Documents show that work was done to repair the dome when it belonged to the Bankes family. The National Trust has also had repair campaigns since 1981.

Sir Charles Barry, known for his work on the Houses of Parliament, was commissioned in 1835 to design a new dome atop the 17th-century country house.

After years of investigation, the team at the Grade I listed property identified the exact area of ​​the leak.

The work will be carried out gradually next year. The team will also investigate and repair defects in the lead work around the base of the dome, which also allowed water to seep in.

A spokesman for the National Trust added: ‘What has changed is that detailed investigations, long-term monitoring and historical research now give us a clear understanding of what actually causes leaks; This means that we can now solve the problem once and for all.

‘Current studies aim to stop this cycle of decay, rather than treating symptoms over and over again.’