VIDEO - Sneak preview tour of Mrs Smith's Cottage in Navenby after refurbishment

Vital works have been taking place on the site since 2016, to repair the structure of the building, which stands on East Road in the village between Sleaford and Lincoln, and to preserve it for the future.

The closure also gave the team the opportunity to look at innovative ways to share the story of the cottage and the eponymous Mrs Smith as well as a new programme of engagement and education.

They have also acquired a neighbouring building to act as a office, storage, education and exhibition space, as well as public toilets.

This has all been made possible with financial help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

From today (Saturday) visitors are able to explore the cottage and garden to get a feel for how Hilda Smith lived her life. Almost all of the interior remained unchanged during the century of her lifetime and provides a real ‘time capsule’ into a life that remained humble and traditional despite many changes in the outside world. She even climbed the steep ladders (instead of stairs) to her bedroom in the roof until she was 102 years old!

There will also be a chance to see the research into the cottage’s decorative interiors, which was undertaken by Lincoln Conservation from The University of Lincoln. An exhibition based on this work and a series of both virtual and physical events will be taking place in the near future.

To enjoy this unique experience, visitors will need to pre-book by visiting www.mrsmithscottage.com. They plan to be open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 12-4pm.

Emma Clark, the visitor economy funding and projects officer, has taken us on a sneak preview tour of the downstairs of the cottage.