Grand Finalé Hartham Park

Date: 3rd December 2024
Categories: Barrettine, Products

The Grand Finalé

Hartham Park, Wiltshire - Main Wedding Hall Final Finish + Historic 18th-century Stické court to match

Hartham Park’s main wedding hall is now ready to welcome its guests. Located in Wiltshire and dating back to the 18th century, Hartham Park is steeped in history and was once well-known among the aristocracy of its time. Originally part of the Royal Forest of Chippenham, the estate has undergone numerous transformations over the years, with its latest chapter as a grand venue for weddings and social occasions. Restoring the hall’s grandeur required careful attention to detail, ensuring that the finishes and coatings respected both the building’s nature and its historical significance.

Now, with the wedding hall embellished with original, perfectly restored chandeliers, luxurious wallpaper, and grand mirrors and paintings framed in gold, the final touch was finding a suitable, protective finish for the stunning hardwood floors. A Hardwax Oil was chosen for its ability to provide a natural look and feel. After extensive testing, Barrettine’s Armourflex Hardwax Oil was selected for its natural finish and ease of application.

This high-performance coating not only offered an elegant, natural appearance but also exceptional durability and scratch resistance. Accredited for its abrasion and liquid resistance (ISO7786 and ISO 2812-1), it provided contractors with the assurance of lasting quality. Additionally, its Food & Toy Safe certification (EN 1186:2002 & EN71:3) made it an ideal choice for the wedding hall floors and other surfaces throughout the manor.

The estate also features a Sticke Court, a unique sports court where the elite once played a game combining elements of tennis and squash. While this sport is not widely known today, it was quite popular among the British aristocracy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Owning a Sticke Court was considered a status symbol, and today fewer than five courts remain in the country. Preserving the court at Hartham Park was therefore of great importance.

The Sticke Court retained its original flooring, and in keeping with the estate’s restoration, it was renovated and protected using Barrettine’s Armourflex Hardwax Oil. The product was trusted for its exceptional durability and desirable finish, as praised by the new owners. With a quick four-hour drying time, the contractors made swift work of the renovation, applying two coats. The treated surfaces are not only low-maintenance but also easy to spot-repair if needed, offering a practical alternative to varnishes and lacquers.