Insole Court, Cardiff

Grade II* listed Victorian estate into a vibrant community heritage venue

A large, historic stone mansion with multiple turrets and steeply pitched roofs, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and trees, under a clear blue sky.
A stone cottage with a black shingle roof, two white doors, and four windows, surrounded by trees and a parking area.
View of a modern backyard with a green lawn, paved walkway, and a wooden garage door, surrounded by stone and brick houses with trees overhead.
View of a historic mansion framed through a rounded stone archway, with green lawn, trees, and colorful flower beds in front.
A large, historic mansion with multiple turrets and pointed roofs, surrounded by trees and a well-maintained lawn.
A building with stone walls, large glass windows, and a gray roof, surrounded by a lawn and tall trees in the background.
Stone building with a clock tower and slate roof, accessible ramp, and potted plant outside.
Close-up of a clock tower with Roman numerals, showing the time as 2:52, part of a historic brick building with a slate roof and decorative weather vane.
Historic stone church with a clock tower and slate roof, surrounded by trees and potted plants.
An old castle with multiple towers and turrets, surrounded by a grassy area and a curved driveway. Several people, including a couple with a dog, are near the entrance, some with strollers and dogs.
Residential house with stone and timber construction, pitched roof, and a small fence, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.

The restoration of Insole Court marks the successful transformation of a once-derelict Grade II* listed Victorian estate into a vibrant community heritage venue.

As Principal Contractor, Andrew Scott Ltd delivered the regeneration project on behalf of the Insole Court Trust and Cardiff Council, with funding from CADW, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and private donations. The project aimed to serve as an exemplar of sensitive conservation and adaptive reuse.

The restoration included the conversion of the derelict stable block and potting sheds into multifunctional community spaces, including learning areas, a visitor centre, a tearooms, training facilities, a new community hall, and small business units.

Innovative techniques were employed, such as the installation of a new passenger lift within the manor house using a braced steel structure constructed entirely by hand to preserve the building’s historic fabric. A modern Building Management System (BMS) was also introduced to replace the outdated heating, improving energy efficiency and user control across the estate.

Today, Insole Court hosts a wide range of community, educational, and heritage events and has been used by the BBC as a location for period dramas reaffirming its place as a cultural and civic landmark in the heart of Llandaff.

There was a clear energy to solve challenges quickly and effectively by the team which has meant the project has succeeded in its outcomes. With such a sensitive project (both publicly and politically) the team of Andrew Scott managed the project to a very high standard.

Anthony Hayes. Project Manager, Cardiff Council