A £50,000 appeal has been launched to restore the stables clock at Kingston Lacy.

The National Trust has launched the fundraising drive in a bid to restore the Victorian clock above the stables to working order.

It was installed in 1880, when Walter Bankes built handsome new stables to the west of the house.

Walter was a keen rider who loved horses – you can still see horseshoes bearing the names of some of his horses on the door to the Stables, which is now the café.

He topped the entrance to the stables with an elegant clocktower that housed an early flatbed clock, built by Smith of Derby, with a pin wheel escapement, quarter chimes and an hour strike.

However, the clock has not turned a wheel in years, and so has rusted and completely seized up.

The clock face, close up. Picture: National Trust/Pete Winchcombe

Now, the team at Kingston Lacy is hoping to raise £50,000 to help fund the restoration work.

“The clock needs to be dismantled, and each part cleaned and assessed for excessive wear,” a spokesperson said.

“Any worn bearings will be re-brushed, and pivots and other working surfaces will be resurfaced & polished.

“The clock will then be repainted, lubricated, and rebuilt. Any necessary adjustments will then be made to ensure continuous reliable operation, including fitting automatic winders to ensure the continuous future running of the clock.”

Anyone who would like to support the project can donate at Kingston Lacy using the contactless ‘tap to donate’ machines, or online (scroll down to ‘Make a donation’, and fill in ‘Kingston Lacy’ on the form).

The workings of the stables clock, which have seized up. Picture: National Trust/Pete Winchcombe