'Exciting' renovation to begin at 18th-Century house

A bedroom in an 18th-Century townhouse is to undergo "exciting" renovations.

Works will begin next week on the north-east bedroom at Salisbury's Mompesson House after planning permission was granted by Wiltshire Council.

The National Trust, which owns the property, said it is optimistic it will be able to open the newly renovated bedroom by the summer.

Georgiana Cooper, collections and house officer at Mompesson, said visitors can return to the house on 6 March after its winter break, where they will be able to see the "exciting work happening".

Cooper added that the room would have a particular focus on Denis Martineau, the last owner of the house before it was taken over by the trust in the 1970s.

"He (Martineau) had quite eccentric tastes. We've got watercolours and some of his leopard print curtains, so there are lots of lovely things we'd like to display," she added.

Under the plans, the bedroom's ceiling, panelling, fireplace and flooring will be restored, and an "incredibly rare" 18th-Century Papier-mâché decoration will be preserved.

"We have lots of different stories to tell in the house and the space really gives us the opportunity to explore all the families that called Mompesson home," Cooper said.

The room, which has previously not been open to the public, is a great space for new displays, she added.

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