Bakers of Danbury Ltd is a specialist building conservation and restoration contractor based in Danbury, Essex. Tracing its origins to 1878, the business undertakes the repair, conservation and sensitive adaptation of listed buildings, churches, ancient monuments, historic houses and other architecturally significant structures.
Working across London, East Anglia and the South East, the company combines traditional building crafts with contemporary project management. Its services include historic masonry conservation, stonemasonry, lime mortars and plasterwork, timber repairs, architectural joinery, heritage roofing and structural conservation. It works with conservation architects, surveyors, church authorities, heritage organisations and private building owners.
The business was founded on 11 June 1878 by William Baker, a millwright, wheelwright and carpenter working at Eves Corner in Danbury. Initially associated with the repair of windmills and agricultural structures, it expanded into general building and church restoration. William Baker's sons continued the enterprise, developing its expertise in ecclesiastical work during the twentieth century.
Although its ownership and corporate structure have evolved, Bakers of Danbury maintains its connection with traditional building craftsmanship and continues to operate from Danbury.
Bakers of Danbury undertakes conservation projects on historic churches, country houses, civic buildings, monuments and period properties. Work may involve investigation of defects, stabilisation of vulnerable structures, repair of historic fabric and the carefully considered reinstatement of lost or deteriorated features.
The conservation of traditional buildings requires an understanding of original materials, construction methods and the causes of deterioration. Projects are therefore developed in collaboration with professional advisers, with emphasis on retaining serviceable historic fabric, using compatible repair materials and avoiding unnecessary replacement.
Ecclesiastical conservation is one of the company's longest-established activities. Bakers of Danbury undertakes work ranging from repairs identified in quinquennial inspections to substantial church restoration programmes, including roof and spire repairs, tower stabilisation, masonry conservation, timber repairs, lime plastering and leadwork.
The company also undertakes sensitive church reordering and adaptation, where new facilities or improved access are introduced to support continued community use. Such projects demand close coordination with conservation architects, church representatives and relevant consent authorities so that historic significance is respected.
Traditional masonry work includes the repair of historic brick and flint walls, architectural stone conservation, stone carving and replacement, and restoration of window tracery, arches, buttresses and decorative details. Conservation may involve localised stone indents, carefully matched replacement materials and repairs to damaged masonry joints.
Flintwork is especially important in the historic buildings of East Anglia. Its repair calls for careful selection and bedding of flints, appropriate mortar mixes and the integration of new work with surviving historic fabric.
Bakers of Danbury also carries out lime mortar repointing and traditional lime plastering. Correctly specified lime-based materials can accommodate limited movement and enable moisture exchange in older masonry, reducing the risks associated with hard, impermeable repairs. Material selection should always respond to the characteristics of the individual building.
Through its specialist joinery capabilities, the company manufactures and repairs traditional timber doors, windows, panelling and architectural components. Its work includes ecclesiastical joinery, bespoke oak features, historic porches and repairs to timber framing and roof structures.
Conservation projects can require the repair of original structural timbers or the manufacture of replacement elements using traditional profiles and construction details. The ability to coordinate site-based conservation with specialist workshop production is valuable where architectural joinery must be fitted accurately into historic buildings.
Bakers of Danbury undertakes repairs to traditional roof coverings, leadwork, timber roof structures, church towers, spires and chimneys. Works can involve retaining and reinstating existing clay tiles or natural slate, repairing roof timbers and renewing defective weatherproofing details.
Its wider conservation capabilities include structural stabilisation, masonry strengthening and carefully planned repairs to buildings affected by deterioration or movement. These interventions are coordinated with engineers and conservation professionals, particularly where significant historic fabric must remain undisturbed.
The company also repairs and adapts historic houses, cottages, farm buildings and other period properties. Services include structural restoration, refurbishment, sympathetic extensions and conversions. Traditional building repairs are coordinated with new accommodation and building services, with consideration for the character and performance of the existing structure.
As a principal contractor, Bakers of Danbury manages complex programmes involving multiple conservation disciplines, specialist trades, access requirements and construction sequencing.
At the Grade I listed church designed by Sir Christopher Wren, Bakers of Danbury undertook a substantial restoration programme involving architectural stone repairs, masonry cleaning, roofing and leadwork, historic windows and the conservation of internal finishes. The work addressed deterioration affecting the building's masonry and roof, alongside structural and services-related improvements.
The company served as principal contractor for the Revealing the Charterhouse project, adapting areas of the Grade I listed complex to accommodate public access, museum and learning facilities. Conservation of historic features was integrated with new uses, accessibility improvements and associated building works. The project received a Civic Trust Commendation in 2018.
Restoration of the historic open-trestle post mill required temporary structural support and specialist repairs to its principal timber components. The conservation work helped preserve a rare example of traditional mill construction and received a Craftsmanship Award at the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards in 2024.
At a Grade I listed nineteenth-century Gunpowder Incorporating Mill, Bakers of Danbury undertook timber and structural repairs, heritage joinery and associated roof and drainage works. The project included replication of historic timber panels and adaptation of the conserved building for renewed public and educational use.
Conservation at this Grade I listed church included repairs to Gothic tracery windows, historic clunch stonework and traditional flint masonry. The programme combined lime-based repairs and replacement stonework with carefully designed alterations to improve the building's facilities and accessibility.
At this Grade I listed church, which incorporates a Saxon tower, the company undertook roof conservation to help protect the building from further deterioration. Works involved inspection and repair of the historic roof structure, with retention of original timber where practicable.
Bakers of Danbury supports the continuation of specialist building crafts through training and practical experience on conservation projects. Its Heritage Training and Development Programme seeks to develop the skills required to repair historic masonry, timber, roofs and other traditional building elements.
For owners and custodians of historic buildings, the company offers a combination of established craft skills, multidisciplinary conservation experience and principal contracting capability, supporting both targeted repairs and major restoration projects.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Historic Building Conservation, Listed Building Restoration, Ecclesiastical Building Conservation, Church Restoration and Repair, Traditional Building Conservation, Ancient Monument Conservation, Architectural Stonemasonry, Historic Brickwork Restoration, Flintwork Conservation, Lime Mortar Repointing, Traditional Lime Plastering, Heritage Roofing, Historic Timber Conservation, Timber Frame Restoration, Architectural Joinery, Historic Window and Door Restoration, Structural Masonry Repairs, Underpinning and Structural Stabilisation, Historic Building Adaptation, Period Property Restoration, Barn Conversion and Conservation, Conservation Project Management, Historic Building Refurbishment, Heritage Construction |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Traditional Stonemasonry, Stone Carving and Replacement, Architectural Stone Indenting, Historic Masonry Cleaning, Gothic Tracery Repairs, Clunch Stone Conservation, Flint Walling and Repairs, Historic Brickwork Repairs, Traditional Lime Mortar Pointing, Lime Plaster Repairs, Traditional Lath and Plaster, Lime Rendering, Historic Timber Frame Repairs, Structural Timber Conservation, Bespoke Heritage Joinery, Historic Timber Windows, Traditional Oak Doors, Ecclesiastical Joinery, Church Furniture Restoration, Lych Gate Repairs, Historic Roof Conservation, Clay Tile Roofing, Natural Slate Roofing, Traditional Leadwork, Spire and Tower Repairs, Chimney Restoration, Structural Underpinning, Masonry Crack Repairs, Historic Building Stabilisation, Conservation Project Coordination, Listed Building Refurbishment, Traditional Building Materials, Historic Building Adaptation, Heritage Skills Training |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – Chartered Building Company, National Federation of Builders (NFB), Constructionline, CHAS, SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) - Bakers of Danbury announced in August 2025 that it had achieved recognition as a Chartered Building Company through the Chartered Institute of Building. Members of its senior management team also hold individual professional qualifications, including MCIOB designations. National Federation of Builders (NFB) - The company identifies itself as a member of the National Federation of Builders and is represented in the federation's heritage construction activities. Its restoration of St Mary's Church in Hitchin was shortlisted for a 2026 NFB award in recognition of its conservation and restoration work. Constructionline - Bakers of Danbury identifies Constructionline among its contractor accreditations. CHAS and SafeContractor - The company publishes details of its participation in CHAS and SafeContractor, both associated with construction contractor compliance and health and safety assessment. SMAS Worksafe - SMAS Worksafe is also identified among its published contractor accreditations. ISO Certifications - The company reports holding the following management system certifications: ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems. ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems. ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Professional Recognition and Awards - The company's published awards include recognition for the restoration of Bourn Mill, conservation work at the Charterhouse and City of London Considerate Contractor Scheme Gold Awards associated with its work at St Lawrence Jewry. |
| Geographical Areas Covered: | Essex, Chelmsford, Colchester, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Kent, Greater London, East London, North London, Central London, East Anglia, South East England |
| Contact & Online Presence | |
| Contact(s): | Peter Smyth – Managing Director |
| Email: | info@bakersofdanbury.co.uk |
| Business Details & Assurance | |
| Company Trading Name: | Bakers of Danbury Ltd |
| Company Number: | 12199448 |
| Public Liability Insurance: | Yes |
| Professional Indemnity Insurance: | Yes |
