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Restoring the Billiard Table in a Historic Dorset Library

Not very long ago, the Billiard Table in the Library at Athelhampton was almost impossible to play on. The fabric covering its surface wasn't just worn and faded with play and exposure to sunlight. It had suffered from major tears, meaning that the balls would no longer roll true.


The billiard table at Athelhampton set out to play snooker. The triangle of red balls are closest to the viewer, with the rest of the balls visible. A snooker cue is being lined up to hit the white ball in the background of the photo

However, with the imminent arrival of the Oxford and Cambridge Club in Pall Mall to play snooker in our historic Dorset library at Athelhampton, something had to be done! There was no way for them to play with the table in such a state.


A large tear in the cloth of the table, running in two directions at a right angle. It's near the edge of the table, where a man's hand is resting on the cushion.

After speaking to Wessex Pool and Snooker, who agreed to come and carry out a last minute re-covering of the table, work began (in something of a hurry). All the cloth had to be stripped off the cushions, as well as the slate bed, and then replaced with brand new wool. Luckily the rubber of the cushions hadn't perished, and so didn't need replacing, though even without that extra work, the process still took all day.


The state of the table half way through recovering. It's a mess, with the fabric removed from the cushions piled up on the left hand side of the photo. The metal nails used to hold it in place are visible. A hammer and pair of pliers are on the right hand side, and the uncovered cushions are in the background.

Now complete, the newly re-covered table is a stunning centrepiece to Athelhampton's historic Dorset library, and with care should be playable on for years to come.


The re-covered billiard table in Athelhampton's historic Dorset libary, with the balls set out to play snooker. The red triangle of balls is at the end furthest from the viewer. In the background are bookshelves full of books, and stained glass windows. The library has a plaster ceiling that is slightly visible, decorated with Tudor motifs. Green glass lamps hang over the table.

If you want to watch the entire process, start to finish, our short videos shows the craftsmanship and skill involved in making a table fit to play on once again.



And, if you want to see the newly re-covered table for yourself, you can visit Athelhampton any day of the week. Our historic Dorset Tudor manor house is open from 10am, with our restaurants serving food throughout the day. And our historic Dorset libaray is one of over 20 rooms that are now open for the public to visit.

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