A MAJOR project to revive the little- known Arts and Crafts past of one of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful buildings has reached a milestone.

During its medieval heyday, the honey-stoned Manor House at Mount Grace Priory, near Osmotherley, was the guest house for dignitaries visiting the Carthusian monastery, whose monks led a life of solitude and piety.

Centuries later, it was given a makeover under the guidance of wealthy owner, Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell, one of the founders of Teesside’s steel industry.

Now one of two rooms is being restored in the style set out for Bell by leading designers in the early 1900s, and is being hung with hand-printed wallpaper, based on original fragments discovered at the priory.

The delicate job of hanging the floral-patterned paper on wooden batons covered with canvas fell to conservator James Caverhill, 48, of Darlington.

Twelve rolls have been specially made using the original 22 wooden printing blocks which were discovered in the archive of Morris and Co – the Arts and Crafts Movement firm set up by William Morris.

A leading UK manufacturer was commissioned to produce the wallpaper, with each role taking up to a week to make.

Mark Allfrey, head curator with English Heritage, said: “This part of North Yorkshire was a real hotbed for Arts and Crafts, inspired by the patronage of Lowthian Bell.

“The wallpaper is central to our ambitious project to revive the rooms.”

Once the rooms are decorated and furnished, they will be opened to the public.