Location
Bibury, Gloucestershire
Stone
Cotswold limestone, matched to the existing river wall
Scope
Failed section of the river retaining wall repaired and the channel edge made good

The problem

The River Coln runs straight through the gardens at The Swan, held in its channel by a low stone wall. That wall is in the water permanently, which is about the least forgiving place stonework can be — constant saturation, weed growth in the joints, and silt building against the face.

Before and after of the River Coln channel wall at Bibury: silted, weed-grown stonework, then a clean repaired edge
Before and after along the channel.

What we did

The failed length was repaired in Cotswold limestone matched to the existing wall, and the channel edge made good so the river runs clean against sound stone again.

The River Coln running clear past the repaired channel wall at The Swan, Bibury, with the packhorse bridge and hotel gardens beyond
After: clear water, sound wall, and the Bibury bridge behind.

The result

Work in a spot like this is as much about being unobtrusive as it is about the stone — the gardens stay open, the visitors keep coming, and when it is done there should be nothing to notice.