Work to resume on new visitor centre at 18th century home

A project to transform stables at Nostell Priory and parkland stalled in November last year, when previous contractors went into administration, but yesterday the National Trust said William Birch and Sons of York had now been given the task of continuing the development once again.

The priory, near Wakefield, which is home to an 18th century mansion house, gardens and surrounding parkland is also home to an accompanying stableblock, which the National Trust had been hoping to give a new lease of life by transforming it into a new visitor welcome area. Work is now back on track.

The stableblock will be home to new visitor facilities including tearoom, shop, plant sales area and reception.

Work is due to recommence on Monday next week.

Kevin Dessoy, property manager for the National Trust at Nostell, said: “This project has taken some time to complete, but we’re very pleased to be getting back on track, bringing William Birch and Sons on board as our main contractor.”

Over the past year the car park at Nostell has been relocated, allowing more space for visitors and allowing a more picturesque view of the house on arrival.

Essential drainage work across the estate has been carried out and a good start was made to the stableblock refurbishment. With work continuing once more, it is hoped the transition will be completed by spring 2012, with phased opening seeing the new tearoom ready by autumn, it is hoped.

Mr Dessoy added: “The stableblock will become the final piece of the jigsaw at Nostell.

“We were overwhelmed by the support from the public towards the end of last year got behind our campaign to save Pieter Brueghel’s The Procession to Calvary to keep it in the house.

“The painting is on now on display in pride of place in the Breakfast Room. It is only right that when the stable block is completed, we will have excellent facilities to complement the great day out we can offer here at Nostell.”

Paul Goyea, construction director at William Birch & Sons Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working with the National Trust on such an important restoration project at Nostell Priory.

“We have worked on many historic projects in the 137 year history of William Birch.

“It is always a pleasure to see these buildings restored to their former glory for the benefit of hundreds of visitors to enjoy.”

Nostell Priory was given to the National Trust in 1954 and is the home of Lord St Oswald, a descendant of Sir Rowland Winn.

The house was built in the mid-18th century on the site of a medieval priory and has become one of the region’s most popular architectural landmarks.

Nostell Priory derives its name from the priory founded in the 12th century which was dedicated to St Oswald.

At the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s, the priory buildings were converted into a home which was bought by the Winn family in 1650.

Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s stunning 1602 painting The Procession to Calvary, which has hung at Nostell Priory, for more than 200 years, was at risk of being lost to public viewing and switched to a private collection when it was put up for sale by owner Lord St Oswald last September.

The National Trust, which owns the stately home, launched a campaign – backed by the Yorkshire Post – to raise the £2.72m needed to buy the painting and keep the star artistic attraction at Nostell Priory.

It sparked a huge reaction, with the money being pledged by members of the public and various trusts and foundations, in a matter of months.

For further details about Nostell visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nostell