SELWORTHY Green was a hive of activity recently as the National Trust’s Periwinkle tea room was completely re-thatched.

Due to the location, all the scaffolding and materials had to be carried to the tea room by hand, and it took four people over five weeks to complete.

The Periwinkle re-thatch is unique, Daniel Bishop, master Thatcher for West County Thatchers said: “It has been carried out on this building using exactly the same methods for the last 200 years.

“The simplicity of the design is typical of the West Somerset style and the traditional straw is still used rather than the more modern water reed.”

Mr Bishop has a special connection to the area as he began his career on an apprenticeship scheme with the National Trust at Holnicote.

Periwinkle cottage was originally built in the 17th Century as a farmhouse. 

The tea room is now open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm, and will be helping to host the Cadbury Easter egg trail on April 18.

For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holnicote-estate.