Visitors to Avebury are getting a rare chance to see rooms at the Manor not normally on show to the public.

Only certain rooms at the Manor have been open to the public in recent years because the building, which dates from the early 16th century, was let to tenants.

Its previous owners, before it was acquired by the National Trust in the 1990s, included marmalade magnate Alexander Keiller, who led much of the modern excavation work of the stone circles monument in the 1940s leaving it as seen today.

The Manor has not been open to the public this summer while its tenants prepared to move out but their departure gives a rare chance, says the NT, for people to not only view all of the house but also as an empty building.

Visitors will be able to see areas that have never been open to the public including the room that is believed was Keiller’s bedroom.

Curator Stephen Ponder said Keiller had a reputation as quite a ladies’ man.

He said: “We imagine he had one or two snug attic rooms for everyday use, and a more opulent room on the first floor for when he was entertaining lady visitors.

“For the first time since the trust has owned the manor we hope to be able to be able to regularly open up the Chinese Room, the Cavalier Room and its dressing room.

“Even though there are only remnants of furniture, we hope it will be a chance for visitors to look at the actual fabric of the building.”

The trust is keen to recruit more volunteer stewards to give tours of the house. Volunteers should apply to Chris Penny in the estate office on (01672) 538015.