Project of the Month – June – Blenheim Palace

Allen & Foxworthy at Blenheim Palace: Royal-Grade Scaffolding Excellence

Restoring a National Treasure with SMART Planning:

Allen & Foxworthy Ltd, a Swindon-based SME and proud holder of HM The King’s Royal Warrant, has delivered scaffolding excellence on iconic projects across the UK for over 20 years. Known for high-profile heritage work, including Windsor Castle and Royal Funerals, Allen & Foxworthy brings a rare combination of craftsmanship, innovation, and experience to the industry. Over half of their 25-person team has been with the company for more than two decades, reflecting a deeply collaborative and skilled workforce.

The Project: Blenheim Palace Roof Restoration

This £12 million restoration of Blenheim Palace included a £1.8 million scaffolding package over a 36-month timeline. Designed to protect the historic interiors from water damage, Allen & Foxworthy’s MD Paul Allen, led a redesign of the temporary roof, shifting from four smaller structures to one large integrated system.

As Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud put it: “The thing to champion is the scaffolding, which is the most wonderful structure that’s been put up.”

Challenges Met with Precision

• First roof restoration since 1705, required extreme care
• No cranes permitted – entire 45m DESSA roof system built by hand
• Access was limited by ancient trees, meaning equipment was delivered via small trucks
• All works completed with Blenheim open to the public year-round
• Rooftop viewing gallery delivered in just 9 weeks, ahead of schedule

Innovative Scaffold Design

Due to load restrictions, Allen & Foxworthy created a system of multiple support beams, reducing spans and spreading loads across parapet walls, windowsills, and light wells. These spine beams also served as safe access walkways between roof levels.

All structural calculations were coordinated with the palace’s structural engineer, the contractor’s engineer, and an independent third-party checker to ensure absolute compliance with heritage conservation requirements.

Safety & Collaboration

Working on a Grade I listed site with over 400 tonnes of scaffold, Allen & Foxworthy assigned their most experienced team to the job. Senior management made twice-weekly site visits, supported by Simian Risk Management, to uphold the highest safety standards.

In partnership with main contractor DBR, the company contributed early access strategies during pre-construction, building trust and shared ownership of the project’s success.

Powered by SMART Estimator

SMART Estimator was instrumental in helping Allen & Foxworthy plan and deliver this complex and heritage-sensitive project. It streamlined communication, reduced risks, and added clarity at every stage.

“We use SMART Estimator on all our jobs. The ability to visualise scaffold structures in 3D has been particularly beneficial—helping us spot potential clashes, improve health and safety planning, and avoid costly delays.”

Key benefits on this project included:

• 3D modelling to detect design conflicts before arriving on site
• Fast plan generation with accurate load lists and drawings
• Real-time updates—a clash with a historic drainage system was resolved and reissued within 24 hours
• Improved team communication across estimators, supervisors, and engineers
• Professional client presentations with strong visual support
• Better cost control and sustainability through reduced rework and waste

“Using SMART Estimator shows clients we’re serious about professionalism. It’s become synonymous with top scaffolding firms in the UK.”

For Allen & Foxworthy, SMART Estimator isn’t just a tool, it’s a key part of how they win work, plan with precision, and deliver projects to the highest standard.

Looking Ahead

This project marks Allen & Foxworthy’s most visible and technically demanding build to date. Their next major challenge is already underway: the Windsor Castle roof and chimney restoration, another prestigious project in their portfolio.

They also see digital tools like SMART Estimator and the upcoming SMART applications as key to attracting the next generation of scaffolders, tech-savvy young professionals who can bring innovation into a traditionally hands-on trade.

Built to Support the Best

SMART Scaffolder continues to help leading scaffolding companies like Allen & Foxworthy deliver complex, heritage-sensitive projects with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re planning a palace restoration or a precision city build, SMART Estimator gives you the tools to deliver smarter, safer scaffolding—every time.