AN HISTORIC country house in Somerset which has been used for fifty years as office space is set to be turned into a visitor attraction.

Hestercombe House, near Taunton, is being handed over by Somerset County Council to the Hestercombe Gardens Trust who plan to renovate the building and open it to visitors.

The impressive country home, which has been enlarged and rebuilt since a house was first built in the 16th century, has been owned by the county council since the 1950s. It has been used as administrative offices and as the emergency call centre for local fire and rescue services.

The council, who can’t afford to maintain the building, will now licence Hestercombe House to the Trust, who already maintain and open the gardens to visitors.

Somerset county councillor, David Huxtable, commented:

“This is great news for the council, great news for Somerset residents and great news for the Trust. The building needs improving and investment – money we just do not have in these tight financial times. The Trust has a bold plan to carry out improvements. It will be great to see part of our Somerset heritage fully restored and thriving once again. We wish success to all concerned with Hestercombe’s future.”