More than 26,000 shells adorning the walls of Devon’s unique 200-year-old, 16-sided building have been preserved for the nation

• The building was constructed by cousins ​​Jane and Mary Parmenter in the 1790s
• The structure in Exmouth was previously part of a wider 20-acre estate

More than 26,000 shells adorning the walls of part of a 200-year-old, 16-sided building in Devon have been preserved as part of a year-long project.

The intricate Georgian interiors at Ala Ronde, near Exmouth, have been protected by experts from the National Trust.

The building and its famous Shell Gallery were constructed by cousins ​​Jane and Mary Parmenter in the 1790s after the couple were inspired by a tour of Europe.

The structure was once part of a wider 20-acre estate that included almshouses for older women, a school for female children, and a chapel also decorated with shells.

The Shell Gallery is also decorated with bones, moss, watercolors, feathers, paper, coral, pinecones, and many other items.

The shells and other objects are preserved by hand using a range of specialist methods over a period of 3,000 hours.

For shells, bones and minerals, techniques included using soft brushes to remove dirt and reattaching hundreds of pieces that had separated using traditionally prepared plaster and adhesives.

For paper, feathers, and moss, experts used soft sponges, dry brushes, and, in some cases, careful washing to remove stains.

The restoration work also helped experts better understand the distinctive décor and original furniture in the house.

The chevron, “circle” and repeating floral patterns found in the Shell Gallery, the property’s grotto staircase and the room known as the Octagon appear on walls, picture frames, fireplaces and artwork.

The octagon is the central space in the house and is where the Parmenter cousins ​​reside It was said that he enjoyed and looked at the exhibition.

The octagon’s walls were stripped of layers of paint that had been added throughout the building’s life and then a green chevron design thought to date from when the Parmenter cousins ​​lived in the house was applied.

It is designed to invite visitors to look up at the landscape above.

In the drawing room, two fragile friezes of feathers, extending together more than twenty-seven meters (88.5 ft) in length, have now been preserved for their security and protection.

It took 150 hours of painstaking work to bring to life the intricate featherwork in circular patterns, and was completed in June.

Visitors to the property will be able to learn more about the restoration work.

A virtual tour illustrating the conservation journey will share the discoveries and stories unearthed by the team working on the project.

But due to their age and extremely fragile nature, the Shell Gallery and the Grotto Staircase are no longer able to withstand visitors in person.

Emma Mee, National Trust project manager for A la Ronde, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved this milestone to secure this truly special place.”

“Over the next 12 months, we will be sharing our conservation research and discoveries, and creating new experiences in different spaces, as part of the next phase of the project.”

Sally Carr-Griffin, property operations director at A la Ronde, added: “This is a massive achievement for the house.

“We are really pleased that this project has secured the internationally significant building and its decorations for future generations.”

The project was made possible by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Wolfson Foundation and the National Lottery Conservation Fund.

Donations were also made from visitors and local supporters.

A la Ronde is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30am to 5pm until October 28, with last entry at 4pm.

Find out more at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/a-la-ronde/journey-with-a-la-ronde.