Kirkharle project to feature on BBC's Countryfile

Work began in August last year to construct the lake based on plans Brown drew up for the site in the 18th Century, but never implemented.

The project came about after local landowner John Anderson discovered the documents among his grandfather's papers.

The plan was later authenticated by landscape experts at Newcastle University, where it is now on permanent show in the library and Mr Anderson and his wife Kitty, of Littleharle Tower, decided to make Brown's vision a reality.

The Countryfile crew were making the show, which is due to be aired on BBC1 on March 7.

And the show's presenter Julia Bradbury (pictured right- photo by Janusz Ostrowski) even pitched into help, getting her hands dirty planting a tree on the site.

Stephen Robinson Gay, who chairs the organisation that represents the 10 businesses at Kirkharle said: "It was a great honour for the BBC to want to get so involved in history in the making and we were all over the moon with how Julia and the camera crew visited every workshop individually and filmed inside each one.

"Her passion and enthusiasm for this exciting project was very apparent."

It had been hoped that the lake would be opened by Easter but bad weather over the winter has set the project behind and it will now open later in the year.

Free tours of the site, led by a Capability Brown expert, will be offered to visitors on April 3 to explain the story of how the plans were found and the project was developed. Jon Monks, who runs his firm Shepherds Walks at Kirkharle courtyard, said: "This is going to be a major attraction. Once it is open it will be free for the public to come in and enjoy it exactly as Capability Brown wanted it. It was great for the Countryside crew to visit and for us to see their enthusiasm for it."

Capability Brown was born at Kirkharle in 1716 and went on to be one of Britain's greatest landscape designers.

He was responsible for more than 100 landscapes surrounding the finest country houses and estates in Britain, from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.

If you would like to book on one of the free tours on April 3, call 01830 540453.