RYDAL Mount is set to reopen its doors to the public this month.

The property that dates back to the 16th-century, and was the home of poet William Wordsworth for the majority of his life (between 1813 and his death in 1850), will open for selected dates during this month and September.

The popular Lake District tourist site has been closed during the lockdown period, although the gardens at the property have been open for a number of weeks.

Now the house is to be opened itself for a limited number of visiting slots.

Visitors will also be able to view some previously-unseen treasures, which have been added recently to the collection of the Wordsworth family’s prized possessions.

They include two portraits which had not been seen for generations. One is a framed portrait in oils of Wordsworth by Sir Willam Boxall, the finished version of which a study can be found in the National Portrait Gallery.

There is also a chalk and charcoal illustration by Samuel Crosthwaite, the last known portrait of Wordsworth during his lifetime.

For devotees of the former Poet Laureate, perhaps the most interesting new arrival is the Wordsworth family bible - featuring in copperplate writing the date of John and Anne Wordsworth's wedding day, and the birth and christening dates of all their children, including William and Dorothy.

Wordsworth's walking sticks can also now be viewed at the property, as well as an artist’s impression of the west elevation of a house which Wordsworth planned to build on what’s now known as Dora’s Field. A copy of the plans of this house had been hanging in the study at Rydal Mount, but curators at the property say the artist’s impression of the house 'brings this vision to life'.

One of the curators, Emily Heath, said: “We are so thrilled that at last we can show these new treasures to visitors. We have been welcoming people to the gardens at weekends since restrictions were lifted, and now we are delighted that the house can be opened again.

“We want visitors to enjoy seeing the house and to experience the same peace, tranquillity and stunning views that William Wordsworth enjoyed.”

Visits can be booked online at: http://www.rydalmount.co.uk/.