From the start of the 2006 season, Melford Hall's North Wing will be open to visitors for the first time.

Melford Hall was requisitioned by the army in 1939. The central part of the house was used as an officers' mess for the series of regiments which occupied Nissen huts in the park.

On 21 February 1942, a dance was held in the house in aid of War Weapons Week. As the dance got under way, a fire broke out in one of the rooms used for storage in the North Wing.

It was only detected the following morning, and the resulting blaze gutted the North Wing and destroyed the roof of the west range.

Sir William Hyde Parker was determined to rebuild the damaged wing. He turned to Professor Sir Albert Richardson, who was already well known for his experience of repairing war-damaged buildings.

Richardson managed to salvage most of the external walls, and used concrete beams to support new floors. He also found an old staircase from Cambridge to replace the former north stairs. This staircase will be used by visitors for the first time in 2006.

A new suite of family rooms were created, with distinctive long corridors and oval lobbies on both floors. The austere decoration was chosen by Lady Ulla Hyde Parker, and is a testament to her striking Danish taste.

The floors were laid with pale polished stone slabs, and the walls painted brilliant white. Pale fabrics were chosen for the sofas and curtains, and the tables given glass tops. All produce the sense of Scandinavian light and transparency that Lady Ulla remembered from her youth.

The lease of the North Wing to the family terminated with the death of Lady Ulla Hyde Parker. Since then, we have developed a detailed refurbishment plan for this part of the house.

The plan has been designed to maintain the ‘feel’ of a family home whilst offering visitors improved facilities along with better information and interpretation.

A small tea-room will offer welcome refreshment. The North Wing will also provide an exhibition space, and by 2007 we hope to have introduced Interpretation Rooms telling the story of Beatrix Potter's connection with the Hyde Parker family, and the story of the fire and the re-building of the North Wing.