The Great Fire at Hampton Court

On Easter Monday 1986, a spectacular fire severely damaged the Wren wing of Hampton Court Palace. Within hours, experts were sifting through the ruins to salvage Grinling Gibbons's carving and other priceless artifacts. Michael Fishlock has written a dramatic first-hand account of the fire itself and the challenging restoration scheme, recounting the critical decisions made about what to conserve, what to restore, what to build anew; the wonderful discoveries of handprints from the 17th century; the graffitti left by Wren's workmen; the seashells beneath the floors that were the sound insulation.

Michael Fishlock LVO, FSA, RIBA is Surveyor to the Royal Academy of Arts and Conservation Consultant to Arnold & Boston Architects.