One of the most important rooms in the Shugborough mansion house
is to be displayed to visitors from this Friday as a special sneak
preview ahead of the opening of Patrick Lichfield's private
apartment in 2011.
From October 1, the elegant Boudoir and the corridor area
surrounding it will be opened every day until the estate closes on
October 28.
The room - which served as a small sitting room - boasts
original 1794 wallpaper inlaid with real silver leaf along with the
only hand painted ceiling in the mansion house. It is also
beautifully decorated with very fine gilt work.
People who visit during the October opening will be given a
unique preview of the Shugborough Revisited project including an
insight into the decoration and furnishing works set to take place
over the winter.
The Shugborough Revisited project will see the mansion house
open in its entirety (literally double in size), along with a new
sculpture trail on the private island garden of Patrick Lichfield
and the redevelopment of museum galleries within the servants'
quarters.
To mark the sneak preview opening and to celebrate the
management of the estate by Staffordshire County Council, the
county flag will be raised on the flagpole later this week.
Councillor Mike Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and
Enterprise said: "Shugborough is the jewel in Staffordshire's crown
and it is wonderful to finally be able to fly the county's flag on
the estate.
"The opening of the Boudoir will also give 2010 visitors a
fascinating insight into the exciting developments which will be
happening next year."
From next year, visitors will be able to wander through the part
of the mansion which contained late photographer, Patrick
Lichfield's private apartments.
Previously visitors have only been able to access the state
rooms on the ground floor and a small part of the first floor. The
full opening will transform the estate, near Stafford, into the
grandest publicly accessible stately home for miles around.
The 2011 opening of the island garden will also introduce
visitors to an important habitat within the Cannock Chase Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty and the new sculpture trail, entitled
West to East will help increase people's enjoyment of this lovely
area.
The Boudoir and the corridor which marked Lord Lichfield's
private entrance to the house will be open every day from 11am
until 5pm from Friday.