The 2017 Surrey Heritage Award has been won by the Royal Automobile Club. It was recognised for its conversion of an 18th century barn at its site near Epsom into a home for the Club’s historic vehicles.

Presented by the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, the award was created to celebrate Surrey’s rich and diverse architectural heritage, highlighting best practice in historic building conservation and restoration.

The winner was announced during a ceremony on 29 March at Loseley Park, Guildford, hosted by Michael More-Molyneux, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Patron of the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust. Dame Helen Ghosh, Director-General of The National Trust, was the guest speaker.

Miles Wade, Club Secretary, said, "We are delighted that our work to restore the barn and give it a contemporary life by housing our motoring activities and showcasing our heritage has been recognised. Although a team effort, the project owes much to the inspiration of the late Peter Foubister, our former Motoring Secretary, for devising the concept and ensuring quality and authenticity, sustaining the Club's reputation as a responsible guardian of our historic estate."

The project was designed by Giles Quarme Architects and follows a tradition of re-purposing barns and stables on country estates into motor houses after the demise of the horse and carriage as a means of transport.

The Motor House accommodates the Club’s heritage vehicle collection, including automobiles from the RAC roadside assistance fleet as well as stalwarts of the Club’s annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. It will be open to the public as part of the national Heritage Open Days event in September.

Dating from 1770, the Motor House was built when the Woodcote Park Estate was owned by George Nelson. This is evident in the support beam in the gabled roof, which displays the inscription Geo.Nelson, Esq; Dec.7th 1770.

Article supplied by Martin Brown