Blenheim Palace’s restoration and a world record for JCB | The best images of August 2026

Our pick of the standout construction pictures from the past month.

The two-year £12m restoration of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire – overseen by specialist conservation contractor DBR – is due for handover next month. The prominent statue of Britannia can now be seen standing atop the palace and the Great Court’s columns are exposed, allowing visitors to see the recognisable view of the 300-year-old landmark. The project’s main focus was restoring a substantial section of the Great Hall roof of the building, including the attic timbers and ceilings below.

HS2 has installed a blue plaque 40m underground, marking the spot where the high-speed railway passes beneath the tomb of the Brunel family. The two tunnel boring machines constructing the Euston Tunnel between Old Oak Common and central London travel underneath Kensal Green Cemetery. HS2 chief executive Mark Wild joined Katherine McAlpine, director of the Brunel Museum, and engineers from Skanska Costain STRABAG at the ceremony. 

JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. The car recorded the average speed based on two runs across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah America. It was driven by wing commander Andy Green OBE. The car was made at the company’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire.

Contractor HBC Construction has completed the £17m new home of the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT) in Sheffield, known as The Spark. The project was delivered in partnership with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and aims to create innovative healthcare technologies. The building is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Housebuilder Vistry has become the first major UK housebuilder to join the award-winning Prisoners Building Homes (PBH) programme, launching a pilot at its timber-frame manufacturing facility in Warrington. Three members of the team will work at the facility.

Willmott Dixon is asking the public for everyday examples of reuse and repair to highlight the issue at the British Science Festival. They are running a photo contest called Inspire Change in partnership with the British Science Association and the University of Southampton. Selected entries will be displayed at the festival from 16-20 September. This will sit beside a commissioned sculpture made entirely from reclaimed metal by Hampshire artist Darren Allsopp.