A Grade II* listed manor house built in the 17th Century has been restored and brought back into use as a family home.
Burderop House in Chiseldon, Wiltshire, which was redesigned into its current neo-classical square design in the 18th Century, had been used as offices for several decades.
Property developer, Arthur Dallimer, has now converted the house into a home with a downstairs space turned into an arts venue.
“I’m very happy to have been able to have brought back one of the town’s most beautiful buildings into its original use like this,” he said.
During World War One and World War Two, the estate was used as a training camp for the British Army and also housed American soldiers who ran a field hospital at Burderop Park.
More recently, since the late 20th Century, it was being used for offices.
Nine months after buying the house, Mr Dallimer opened it up to show visitors what he had achieved during the renovations.
One of the grandest rooms was showcased as a gallery, and will in future be used for art, music and literary events.
A native Swindonian, Mr Dallimer said: “With a building like this, you have to make it work as well, so that’s what we’re going to do.
“I’m thrilled to have got it to this state. There are apartments upstairs for me and members of my family,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Mr Dallimer is also interested in converting the Grade II-listed Apsley House, formerly the home of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery until it closed in March 2020.
He has submitted plans for the building, including a restaurant, two shops and meeting spaces to Swindon Borough Council.
If approved, the renovation of the Regency property would take about eight months to complete.
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