Wray Castle opens to the public this weekend after being given a facelift.

The mock-gothic National Trust house on the shores of Windermere has a newly-painted interior.

The 100ft central tower has been restored to its period colours following an eight-week project. Giant scaffolding was installed to get the job done.

Craftsmen from Staveley furniture experts Peter Hall and Son have also been on site restoring the original oak flooring in the former grand dining room, which had been covered in carpet for several decades.

The house’s manager Rosemary Lord said: ‘Wray Castle had an amazing year last year, with over 70,000 people coming through the door, with lots coming by the new boat route, which is great because it means less traffic on our roads.

“This year we’ve spruced up our visitor facilities and we’re introducing archery sessions for families.”

The works are all part of a long-term project to conserve the castle, which has been a grand home, a radar college, the headquarters of a freshwater marine organisation and finally a corporate centre for a mobile phone company.