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Conservatories are successors to the orangeries of the seventeenth century. The development of technology in the Industrial Revolution meant that greater swathes of glazing could be incorporated into the original orangery design. Conservatories were built from a combination of glass and wood, and later glass and iron. The delicate framing typical of conservatories reached its pinnacle with the Crystal Palace of The Great Exhibition of 1851, and the spectacular iron and glass roofs which remain a feature of many of our city’s great railway stations to this day.

On a domestic level the installation of conservatories remained the preserve of only the very wealthy. Their country house estates would include functional horticultural glass houses within great walled kitchen gardens, and spectacular conservatories for nurturing rare plants and exotic birds. It was not until the early part of the 20th Century that the fashion came within reach of the burgeoning middle classes. Conservatories could be selected from catalogues prepared by specialist suppliers who were tailoring their production knowledge of building horticultural glass houses, to meet the aspirations of domestic propriety. Once the height of Victorian invention and elegance, a great fashion was born that still continues today.
If there is one common theme which links most contemporary conservatories, it is that now they are almost exclusively built as home extensions. Clearly rare plants and exotic birds are welcome too, but you are more likely to find the family dog or cat relaxing on the heated floor, than be hosing down the plant staging.

Traditionally framed in hardwood, Town and Country’s conservatories are buildings of beauty. Their elevations are primarily of glass with little or no masonry, and the assembly of their roofs is clearly supported off their structural framing. Never-the-less Town and Country’s high specification ensures that these delicate buildings perform as a versatile extensions ensuring peace of mind for year round enjoyment.

Click on the peripheral images and case studies to sample just a few of our beautifully designed conservatories.