Castle Howard: Inside a popular stately home in Yorkshire as it readies to reopen for spring

For Eleanor Brooke-Peat, curator of collections and archives, winter is a time not just to clean but to conserve the many things in the house's care before it reopens on April 1.

"We take a focused approach in winter," she said. "There are sections, say the west wing bedroom suites, so we can do those and move on to the next area. It's a steady approach to preparations.

"It's about going into the winter knowing our projects and making sure we leave enough time. Working in historical interiors, we need to be as methodical as we can be. To make sure it's just as it should be."

In the bathroom, an electrician is rewiring lights for a portrait. On the china landing, a specialist in decoration restoration from York’s Hesp Jones & Co is preparing historical wallpaper to be laid on the walls.

"It needs treating and handling very carefully, before it can be applied," said Ms Brooke-Peat. "It's the final touches. When we open to the public, it will be the first time they've seen this space properly.

"We have enormous stores of wallpaper," she added. "It's more of an accumulation than a collection, as rooms have been decorated what is left is kept in the store. This paper was left from the museums room, it's perfect for this little lobby."

Built from 1701, and familiar to many as the fictional Brideshead, the house is home to the Howard family. There are more than 20 rooms to prepare, as well as a new exhibition celebrating the King's Coronation with robes and replica crown jewels. It's also about balance, with an historical collection, in a stately house that is also a home."This isn't a house that stands still," said Ms Brooke-Peat. "Here it is always changing." ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​