Maison Dieu shortlisted for two national Museum & Heritage Awards
7 April 2026
One of Dover’s most iconic landmarks has received national recognition, with the Maison Dieu shortlisted for two prestigious Museum & Heritage Awards 2026. After the care, collaboration and long-term commitment behind this major conservation project, the recognition for all those involved feels very well earned.
The Grade I listed building, which has stood at the heart of Dover for more than 800 years and reopened to the public in May 2025 following a major restoration, has been shortlisted in two categories:
- Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year
- Community Engagement Programme of the Year
Coniston’s Managing Director, Deano Georgiou, said:
“The Maison Dieu is an impressive building, with eight hundred years of history. A project like this, which was more than a decade in the making, brought together a remarkable team of partners, specialists and volunteers, all pulling in the same direction to secure it for future generations.
“The conservation work alone, from the reinstatement of Burges’ neo-Gothic interiors to the painstaking restoration of stained glass, furniture and paintings, was a real labour of love. To see it shortlisted for these awards is great for everyone involved.”
The restoration brought together more than 200 specialists, including archaeologists, paint conservators, stained glass experts and stonemasons, who worked alongside over 100 volunteers to return the building to public life.
A wide-reaching community engagement programme connected thousands of people across Dover and East Kent with the building’s history throughout the project.
The Museum & Heritage Awards celebrate excellence across museums, galleries and heritage attractions nationwide.
We are proud to have played our part in delivering this project and look forward to the awards night with everything crossed.
Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted, and we hope for a good result on the night!
The full 2026 shortlist can be viewed at awards.museumsandheritage.com.