THE rich history of Arts and Crafts treasure Blackwell is to be celebrated in an exciting new project.

Thanks to £66,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the house's custodians Lakeland Arts are embarking on a two-year venture to bring Blackwell's beautifully crafted interiors to life through new displays and activities.

Lakeland Arts hope that The Blackwell Project: An Arts and Crafts Story will inspire more people to explore and enjoy the property's heritage, design and architecture, as well as the Arts and Crafts movement.

New displays of high-quality period objects and interiors are planned, and the story of the people who lived, worked and went to school at Blackwell, near Bowness, will be shared. An improved learning space will also offer an exciting programme of activities.

Helen Watson, director of exhibitions and collections, greeted the lottery funding, saying: “This is brilliant news for Lakeland Arts and a new chapter in the life of this internationally important icon of Arts and Crafts architecture and design. The funding will help us to inspire more people to explore Blackwell’s rich history and the Arts and Crafts movement.”

Meanwhile, Sara Hilton, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said the fund was delighted to support Lakeland Arts: "Already a real gem in the Lake District, this project will open up the rich collections and fascinating stories of the house, ensuring they can be enjoyed by everyone who visits.”

Overlooking Windermere, turn-of-the-century Blackwell was designed by leading British architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, and almost all its decorative features are intact, including carved timber panelling, fireplaces and inglenooks, stained glass, metalwork, carved stone, moulded plasterwork and furniture.

The house was built as a holiday home for brewer Sir Edward Holt's family, and during the Second World War it took on a new role when a girls' school was evacuated to safety in the Lake District.

The Blackwell Project will be delivered by Lakeland Arts with support from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the William Morris Gallery, London, together with other specialists in Arts and Crafts, local schools and volunteers.

Lakeland Arts originally purchased and restored Blackwell with £2.2 million support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the house opened to the public 13 years ago. HRH Prince Charles is among the property's ardent admirers.

Blackwell is open every day. Find out more at www.blackwell.org.uk