Trust hopes Grade I house project can 'inspire young people'

The first phase of works began last week and is expected to run until January

A man leading restoration work on a Grade I-listed country house said he hoped the work could inspire young people to take up new skills.

Calke Abbey, near Swadlincote in Derbyshire, was built in the early 1700s, but over time has become weathered and in need of repairs.

Some masonry has eroded and wooden window frames have begun to rot, while lead piping and other features also need to be replaced.

The National Trust has said the first phase of work will cost about £500,000 and is expected to run until January, with the site remaining open to visitors during that time.

Calke Abbey was built in the early 1700s

Some of the features around the house have become weathered

Stewart Alcock, general manager at Calke Abbey, said the project was "very expansive", adding it would provide people with the chance to see how restorations were carried out.

"It's really important that people have a chance to access these places," he said.

The interior will also be refurbished

The house is home to unusual historical artefacts

The work includes the repair and restore of the 65 first and second-floor windows and walls on the west and south front of the house.

To preserve the baroque exterior during the works, the trust said it would use oak timber from the Calke estate, alongside Hollington and Swinton stone, which were the closest matching stone available.

With the remaining sides of the house due to be completed, the trust said this phase of works were a "small chunk" of the bigger restoration plans at the house, which would total about £1m once complete.

Calke Abbey will remain open to visitors while work is carried out

Mr Alcock added: "Part of the project is to ensure we provide information and opportunities for visitors to see the work that's happening.

"There's a scaffold platform, so visitors can get up on to the first floor and see some of the work happening, as well as some demonstration days by the contractor that's undertaking the work.

"The skills and crafts involved in creating a building such as this are very different to our modern buildings, and so it's very specialist.

"It's really important to care for these places so that we continue to develop those skills, and hopefully inspire some youngsters who are looking for a career."

The National Trust has looked after Calke Abbey since 1985