VISITORS are enjoying a first midwinter look round a medieval manor house attraction, which is usually only open in the spring and summer seasons.

Crook Hall, on the banks of the River Wear, just half-a-mile from Durham city centre, has been offering a taste of medieval Michaelmas for the first time.

Owners Maggie and Keith Bell have developed the hall and its four-acre themed gardens as a popular summer visitor attraction over the past six years.

But, having given up her day job as a child psychiatrist, Mrs Bell is now concentrating her efforts entirely on the hall.

The first winter openings, over the past two weekends, as well as yesterday, have gone down well, with an increasingly steady flow of visitors.

"We get lots of regular visitors through the summer, and we normally close at the end of the season over the winter months," said Mrs Bell.

"But people have said to us that it would be lovely to see it at this time of the year, when it takes on an entirely different feel.

"We've previously resisted, thinking it may not be worth the effort, but this year we thought we would give it a try, to see if there would be much interest."

She added: "We have a Christmas treasure hunt, elves and Santa's helpers who assist children in different activities, including making Christmas cards, and Rudolph's magic reindeer ride.

"There is mulled wine and mince pies for adults, plus Mrs Christmas's special cake for everyone, while we have Father Christmas in front of his log fire in his Georgian study."

The hall, off Sidegate, Durham, is open from 11am to 4pm today, and admission is £8 for all, which includes all refreshments and the present.