Spaghetti Weston
Built in 1704 for Captain George St Lo, Commissioner’s House has stood at the heart of Chatham’s Dockyard for more than three centuries. As the official residence of the Dockyard Commissioner, it oversaw the construction of ships including HMS VICTORY.
Spaghetti Weston filmed and produced a documentary series following the house’s £3.8 million restoration from scaffold to reopening, and a short showcase film for its new life as a museum and venue.
Project lead Nigel Howard takes viewers behind the scenes of the restoration, uncovering the craftsmanship, challenges and vision behind the work.
Phase one centred on care, craft and conservation: structural repairs to stabilise the building, specialist conservation of its historic interiors, and sustainability measures to reduce the house’s carbon footprint.
Among the house’s surviving treasures is the ceiling painting Mars Crowning Neptune, attributed to Highmore and Thornhill. Originally created for HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN, it is now one of the Dockyard’s most significant artworks, and was protected by specialist conservation during the restoration.
The final part of the series marks the house opening to the public for the first time, carefully adapted as both a museum and a distinctive hospitality venue for events, celebrations and weddings.
The restoration was supported by Trusts and Foundations including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), administered by Arts Council England; the Garfield Weston Foundation; The National Lottery Heritage Fund; and The Wolfson Foundation.
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