Fancy holidaying like a lord at stately Wentworth Woodhouse?

SAVE Britain’s Heritage is backing the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, which has reached a provisional agreement to buy the mansion for £7 million with a view to a £24 million restoration scheme.

The group said parts of the country pile would be open to the public but others could be used as holiday accommodation.

"The long term strategy is for the public to visit and enjoy all the most interesting parts of the property while restoring the others for revenue-earning uses such as events and holiday lets with business units in the stables," SAVE Britain’s Heritage said in a statement.

“Traditionally a historic house of this size would have required a vast endowment.

“This business model will provide a substantial income stream intended to cover both running costs and periodic bouts of repair.

“Extensive repairs will be phased over ten to 15 years allowing time for funds to be raised and the work to be carried out in phases while the property is opened to the public"

SAVE Britain’s Heritage said the £7 million pledged for the acquisition - revealed exclusively by the Advertiser yesterday - includes a £3.575 million grant offer from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and grants from the Monument Trust, the Art Fund, Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement and the John Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust.

“Pledges and donations have also been received from many individual members of the public," they said.

“SAVE and the trustees of the WWPT extend their warmest thanks for all pledges and support received."

An annual Clifford Newbold lecture will be held to mark the work of the Newbold family in opening the house to the public, the group said, adding that: "The trust will build on the pioneering work of the Newbold family in opening the house to pre-booked visitors for the first time on a regular basis.”