ONE of the Island's most historic homes re-opened to the public in March.

The Milntown Estate in Ramsey was inaccessible to the public for many years until the estate's trustees embarked on ambitious plans to re-open to the public.

While the main house is still out of bounds for now the public have access to 15 acres of grounds including woodland, parkland, walled orchard, fish ponds and mill ponds.

There is also a brand new café, housed in a conservatory style extension, which is operated by chef Simon Child and Jen Monro. The emphasis is on home cooked food made from local produce.

Estate Manager Paul Ogden said: "The response from visitors so far has been overwhelmingly very positive." 

Milntown was the seat of the Christian family for 600 years and was where Illiam Dhone – William Christian – spent his childhood.

Its most recent owner was Sir Clive Edwards who died in 1999 leaving the estate in trust to allow his friend Bob Thomas to remain living there. After his death in 2003 Milntown was run as a charitable trust.