Preparations are well underway for the new season at the historic National Trust property – famed for its 'role' as Pemberley in the BBC's Pride and Prejudice and set in the stunning surroundings of Lyme Park estate in Disley.

But when the doors eventually open, and the tourists flood in, many will be unaware of the painstaking work that each year goes into clawing this Elizabethan manor house from its long winter hibernation.

"This is pretty much the busiest time of the year for us," explained House and Collections Manager Amy Thornborrow. "It normally takes us about a month to reopen the house fully, taking covers off, moving things out of storage, cleaning and carrying out final tweaks.

"We use very much a mixture of traditional and modern housekeeping methods; as well as beating the carpets we would also use a vacuum cleaner.

"And we still polish on our hands and knees, although we use a buffer to take it off."

Lyme Hall officially opens for the 2008 season on March 12, but those who cannot wait until then will have the chance to pay a very early visit during a series of 'Conservation in Action' tours over the first two weekends in March.

Amy said: "The tours are a chance to show visitors the winter work which has taken place in the house – and also preparations being made to ensure the house opens on time.

"We'll be looking at the different agents which can cause deterioration – for example, light, pests, mould, wear and tear – and how we tackle these.

"We'll also be offering visitors the chance to get stuck in with carpet beating, taking a look at the strange history of housekeeping, and sharing information about more scientific methods which we use to care for the collections - for example, measuring the amount of light in a room.

"Too much can damage delicate fabrics and paintings – too little and visitors can't see anything!"

Amy and her team will also be demonstrating how the huge 14 seat dining room table would have been laid out for the second Lord and Lady Newton and their guests.

Around 170 pieces of silver cutlery and Sevres porcelain on the main table, and a further 100 on a side table, several goblets per place setting, together with elaborate table decorations, including a centre-piece with pineapple, would have taken household servants hours to set up each evening.

She added: "After each meal the tablecloth and napkins would have to be washed, starched and folded in the 'Mitre' style – which we hope to include in the conservation tours for visitors to have a go.

"Today we protect every single piece on the table by placing acid-free tissue between each item when in storage and stacked, so they never touch each other.

"We also have to wear gloves at all times when handling these precious items."

Conservation in Action tours will take place on March 1, 2, 8 and 9 hourly between 11am and 4pm.