Commissioned for the Channel Four series “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Dylan – working in partnership with Bob Ockenden (Oakwright) – completed 30 tons of french oak frame to the highest standard for the production company Darlow Smithson with the pressures of a tight TV schedule.

All Dylan Hartley’s timber framing is completed with Bob who worked on Windsor Castle after the great fire and was also part of the team that manufactured and exported a medieval village in engineered oak to Japan.  Dylan & Bob’s interest in the restoration of timber frame buildings provide the client with many years knowledge and experience.

Standing out as one of the most ambitious Roman construction projects in modern times, the rebuilding of a Roman villa, at Wroxeter in the West Midlands, was always going to be a challenge. However, those in charge were well aware of this, and when it came to ensuring they had a team of technical experts they could rely on they chose Dylan Hartley Ltd.

Each of the green oak beams were sustainably sourced and hand cut, and with the longest sections measuring 6.5m they weighed in at up to 250Kg. The project was constructed with full permission and co-operation of English Heritage.