Rolling out the carpet at Lyme Park

The carpet is one of the final pieces in the three year project to restore the library to how it would have looked in the 19th century when the Legh family still lived there.

James Rothwell, curator at Lyme Park said: "The carpet, which measures 9.4m by 6m, was woven in Bulgaria in the last surviving hand made carpet factory in Europe. Eight ladies took 6 months to weave it - which is a fantastic achievement. Even the Bulgarian Minister of Culture dropped by to see work in progress!”.

“The design was copied from a similar carpet which is at least 400 years old and which can be found in the library at Belton House in Lincolnshire. It is an ancient Turkish Anatolian design called ‘Ushak’ incorporating bright reds, blues and golds, and a dragon motif which was used by Anatolian ‘Sufis` . The colours are the same as those used in the original library carpet at Lyme which unfortunately has not survived.”

Carpet company D & S Bamford (Makers) Ltd, based in Presteigne, Powys, which owns the Bulgarian carpet factory, has been working with the National Trust for a quarter of a century to produce new replica carpets to replace originals which have become too fragile for use, or as in the case of the original carpet in Lyme library, no longer exist. David Bamford, Managing Director, said: “It has been wonderful to create the new carpet for Lyme library Unfortunately, the demand for hand woven carpets is declining. We have been in the carpet business for thirty five years, and at one time were the largest private conservation and restoration company in the country. When we took ownership of our Bulgarian factory, we employed 200 weavers – now that number has dropped to 60. The factory has in the past made carpets for such prestigious clients as The Royal Collection Osborne House and The Albertina Palace Vienna, and the skills of the employees there have been often passed down from generation to generation. I hope that the Lyme carpet prompts other commissions and we can save these precious skills”.

The library at Lyme now houses the 15th century Lyme Caxton Missal which went on show to the public in 2009 following its return to Lyme after an absence of 63 years.

Part of the Lyme Missal project was to restore the library to how it would have looked when the Missal was last put on display by the Legh family for guests and visiting scholars during the late 19th century.

The laying of the carpet followed the re-wallpapering of the library, the re-graining of the ceiling, new curtains and re-upholstered furniture in specially made gaufraged velvet, all of which followed the library’s original colour scheme and design taken from archive photographs and records. In addition, state of the art computer ‘turning pages’ technology was installed in the room which allows visitors to see and interact with a virtual copy of the 15th century Lyme Missal, as well as being able to sit in the library and enjoy reading a book or newspaper. David Morgan, Lyme Park’s General Manager said: "We are delighted that the library restoration is nearing completion. The room looks magnificent – just as it would have done in the 19th century – but there is one main difference: today we can encourage visitors to come and use this lovely room as it was originally intended. They can read a book, take a closer look at the fabulous Caxton Missal or just sit and take in the atmosphere. The room is a real testament to the hard work, dedication and skill of our craftsmen, staff and volunteers who have been involved over the last three years; and I’d also like to especially thank the Heritage Lottery Fund; The Art Fund, The Woolfson Foundation and all our other supporters and donors who have made the project possible” The house at Lyme Park is open Fri – Tues, 11am – 5pm. Please note between 11am and 12 noon entry to the house is by guided tour only. The park and gardens are open daily. For further information go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lymepark or call 01663 762023 .