A rare survival, the aviary and the monkey house at Saltwell Park in Gateshead, have survived intact since Victorian times, but were in need of considerable overhaul as part of an HLF funded regeneration scheme.
They were completely dismantled, and remade as original using materials as close as possible to those originally used within the constraints of availability. Thus, while much of the framing was replaced in puddled wrought iron, it was necessary to use stainless steel for tee sections not available in iron. The aviary had been clad in welded mesh panels in recent years, and these were replaced with galvanised steel wire panels specially woven to an antique design. The meshes of the monkey house were of much more interest, being in large part the originals, made from lightweight sections of wrought iron. Many of them were, after perhaps 130 years, dilapidated but several were salvaged and made fit for re-use with components from the panels which were scrapped. Replacement panels, where used, were made as the originals but from mild steel, hot dip galvanised after assembly. New cast iron finials were designed in antique style. New cast iron finials were fitted in antique style.
