A HISTORIC hall is sprucing up it’s traditional entrance taking visitors over 700 years back in time.

Markenfield Hall, near Ripon is one of the most unspoiled moated fortified manor houses left in England. It dates from around 1310, and is only open to visitors a few weeks of the year.

Now major changes are being made to the entrance area to the East Wing of the hall, which is thought to be the original entrance, undergoing a transformation to bring it more in keeping with the rest of the borders of the hall. One of the best views of the ancient hall is from birdleways running from the world heritage site at Fountains Abbey.

Visitors can see the work in progress over the next few weeks, the Hall is open to the public until Sunday June 25.