A GRADE I listed 18th century Orangery at a popular visitor attraction has been formally reopened following a £500,000 restoration programme.

Part funded by a grant of £90,000 from the Country Houses Foundation, an extensive reclamation programme started on the building at Newby Hall, near Ripon, in 2014.

The work included reinstatement of the building’s original floor to ceiling windows as well as the renovation of the Victorian wooden solid beamed roof, redesigned and supported to enable removal of three central pillars, and installation of under floor heating. Phase two of the project, a sympathetically designed glazed and covered entrance hall and kitchen, completes the building which is now available for celebrations and licenced for wedding ceremonies.

A VIP reception held on Wednesday, May 16, to celebrate the reopening, which was attended by representatives from the charitable foundation as well as civic dignitaries and local businesses.

Newby Hall was built in the 1690s by Sir Christopher Wren, and was subsequently enlarged by John Carr and Robert Adam.

It remains in private ownership and is the family home of Richard and Lucinda Compton.

The Orangery itself was commissioned by William Weddell and dates from 1770.

Orangeries originated in the Renaissance gardens of Italy and were used to extend the growing season of orange and other exotic fruit trees as well tender ornamental plants.