WORK is due to start in the spring on the £5.5 million restoration of one of Gwent’s most historic buildings.

Bedwellty House and Park is set to be returned to its former glory thanks to a project by Blaenau Gwent Council and additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and another grant from the Heads of the Valleys Programme.

The Victorian house and gardens is to be turned into a heritage centre and become a major tourist attraction for the valleys.

Work is expected to start in March and take 20 months to complete. The restoration will take place in two phases.

Phase one will see the historic restoration element take place - the house, park features/buildings and landscape and introduction of additional park lighting.

Phase two is the upgrading of the recreational side of the park - the sports facilities including a new bowls pavilion, upgraded tennis facilities and children’s play facilities.

New facilities at the house will include a café, bar, exhibition and education, kitchen, reception area and disabled parking.

Cllr Jason Owen, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, said: “Local people and visitors will feel they are stepping back in time. Both house and park have a fascinating story to tell - and both will be welcoming visitors with 21st century facilities.

“The project is a major achievement and a great example of how the council is working with local people.”

When completed Bedwellty House will be available for weddings, exhibitions and events, as well as continuing to be the home of Tredegar Town Council.

While the revamp is under way, the council will be moved to nearby Tredegar Library.

Bedwellty House and Park was sold to the people of Tredegar in 1901 by its then owner Lord Tredegar for the token price of one gold sovereign.

Tredegar Urban District Council then moved in to the building.

To find out more about the restoration project, log-on to www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk FACTS Bedwellty House was used as a home by the ironmasters of Tredegar until 1901.

The site covers more than 26 acres.

The park itself is home to many specimens of mature trees, including those planted more than 200 years ago by Samuel Homfray - the original owner of the house.

The grounds house one of the last remaining ice houses in Wales, which was used to refrigerate food for the house by storing it between layers of ice and straw.

There is an octagonal house and grotto in the grounds.

Two of the more unusual features of the park include two blocks of coal situated near the ponds.