Originally built in 1766, Bentley Priory was significantly extended in 1788, by Sir John Soane. The Priory was the final home of the Dowager Queen Adelaide, Queen Consort of William IV. It was acquired by the Royal Air Force in 1926 and was the headquarters of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. Extensive conservation and re-decoration work was undertaken as a member of the Hare & Humphreys team during the buildings conversion into luxury apartments, museum and memorial, dedicated to those who served in the RAF.

 

Primary tasks included the conservation treatment of the historic ceilings in the Adelaide Room and Entrance Hall which encompassed the assessment, recording, stabilisation, consolidation and retouching of painted surfaces, plasterwork and interior decorative features. Additional works included re-modelling of composition leaf detail and gilding of the Dome Room Rotunda and application of faux-stone specialist decoration to the Entrance Hall.