A 300-year-old map of a Norfolk country estate has been restored and put on display by the National Trust.

The 1729 hand-coloured parchment map by James Corbridge is the only surviving historical estate plan of Blickling, near Aylsham.

The map up closeThe map up close (Image: National Trust)

In March the map was sent away for conservation at Museum Conservation Services.

When the ribbon edging was removed, the original yellow border and a black and white scale, painted by Corbridge in the bottom left corner, could be seen for the first time in 50 years.

Surface cleaning of the parchment removed some of the dirt and improved the overall appearance. Old repairs were removed and replaced with modern parchment patches.

Conservator Nicholas Burnett said: “The first task was to remove the plywood, which the map had been adhered to in the 20th century – this proved tricky and time-consuming.

“The starchy glue was strong, and the plywood had to be removed in stages, first with chisels, then a sander and finally picked off with scalpel and tweezers to reveal the back of the map.

“This delicate work took over 100 hours to complete.

Map restorations taking placeMap restorations taking place (Image: National Trust) “Next we cleaned the surface of the parchment, repaired the splits and tears, and remounted and reframed the map.”

“When the ribbon edging was removed, the original yellow border and a black and white scale, painted by Corbridge in the bottom left corner, could be seen for the first time in 50 years."

Blickling Estate’s property curator, Megan Dennis, said: “It’s interesting to look at well-known features in the Blickling landscape such as the lake, which is labelled ‘New Pond’ on Corbridge’s map – back in 1729 it was only a third of the size it is today.

“The map also shows three avenues formed in the shape of a goose-foot, extending out from the west side of Blickling Hall.

“Corbridge shows a fourth avenue linking, via a small gate, to the road at Itteringham. Only one avenue still exists in the park today.

“Corbridge may have been drawing a new design for avenues, instead of recording what was already there.”

The map will be on display at Blickling Hall until 10 November as part of the Autumn Magic and Folklore event, before being given a permanent home next year.