Gawthorpe Hall getting ready to open up to the public

Historic Gawthorpe Hall is getting ready to open up to the public next week, after being closed for major restoration work.

The building has been closed since May 2015 so that important restoration work to the external stonework and windows at the Grade 1-listed building could be carried out. Other internal and external remedial work to return the building to its original condition have also been completed.

Work is now ongoing to get the building ready to open up again on Wednesday 20 April.

The centuries-old Jacobean hall in Padiham is run by the county council on behalf of the National Trust, and remained closed to the public throughout the programme of work.

Lancashire County Council's head of libraries, museums, culture and registrar's service, Julie Bell, said: "Gawthorpe Hall is a very special building that we operate on behalf of the National Trust.

"Because of its importance, we've invested a significant amount of money in the conservation project to preserve it for the future.

"It has been closed since last May and we are delighted that the work has been completed on time and the public will be able to enjoy visiting it again soon.

"This is a significant building and the work we have done will preserve it and enable it to be enjoyed for years to come."

Redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, who designed the houses of Parliament, the stately home holds an impressive collection of fine furniture, portraits and collections of intricate lace, embroidery and needle work.

The work has been undertaken by Conlon Construction, based in Preston.