Landmark’s craftspeople recreated the damaged or missing items at their studio in the Cotswolds, including fireplaces, architraves, shutters and skirting boards.

The importance of the building’s history was considered throughout the project and elements of its former owners, including 18th-century businesswoman Eleanor Coade, were included.

Coade famously built up a successful artificial stone business in the male dominated Georgian era, and is responsible for refurbishing Regency buildings still in existence today, including Buckingham Palace.

Situated in Lyme Regis, Dorset, the 18th-century seaside villa is now decorated in striking pink

The building had its original features meticulously restored, including the intricate face of Neptune etched on the keystone

Landmark building surveyor, Carole Paton, said: ‘Restoration projects are always absorbing, but Belmont has been entirely consuming for everyone involved.

‘We used evidence from the original building to restore Belmont to its appearance and layout in Eleanor Coade’s time.

‘Major highlights were finding a signature on one of the keystones and the date of 1782 in one of the urn lids.

‘The quality and detail of the Coade stone that survives from this era is astounding and to think that Eleanor may have been personally involved in its creation feels very special.’

The fireplace and the delicate decoration of the sitting room, which was used by Fowles as a place to write, was also restored to its original state by the team

The importance of the building’s history was considered throughout the project and elements of its former owners, including 18th-century businesswoman Eleanor Coade, were included

In addition to Coade, Belmont was also the home of acclaimed author John Fowles, who resided at the seaside property for almost four decades.

Fowles wrote much of his work at Belmont and his postmodern historical fiction novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman was completed while he lived there.

Considering the fact that Fowles wanted Belmont to be enjoyed by many people in the future, particularly other writers, Landmark included a large collection of his books for guests to browse.

The fireplace and the delicate decoration of the sitting room, which was used by Fowles as a place to write, was also restored to its original state by the team.

The restoration process was led by the Trust who used traditional craft skills involving haired-lime plasters, lime mortars and renders, traditional joinery and stone repairs

Landmark building surveyor Carole Paton said restoring Belmont was entirely consuming for everyone involved

Creative Writing students will be able to participate in annual study weeks at the property.

Dr Anna Keay, Director of the Landmark Trust, said: ‘We are enormously proud of having completed this ambitious restoration project, particularly in our fiftieth anniversary year.

‘The rejuvenated building is once again a fitting monument to the genius of Eleanor Coade.

‘Visitors will now be able to stay in her Georgian architectural gem and in so doing experience the beauty and peace that inspired one of our greatest modern writers, John Fowles.’

Dr Anna Keay, Director of the Landmark Trust, said she is enormously proud of having completed the ambitious restoration project

The Grade II listed building was returned to its former glory after the Landmark Trust splashed out £1.8million

The Trust is hoping that the seaside property can shine a light on the lives of its former residence – especially as there are no surviving portraits of Coade still in existence.

And also bring attention to its lesser-known occupant, Dr Richard Bangay, who lived at Belmont House during the Victorian era.

Self-taught and from a poor background, Dr Bangay was a keen astronomer and built the fascinating observatory tower in the garden.

Today the tower stands as a relic of a working amateur Victorian astronomer’s observatory after it was restored by the Trust.

Now that the building has been completely restored by the Trust, it will be made available to the public for short breaks

The team used evidence from the original building to restore Belmont to its appearance and layout in Eleanor Coade’s time

The team also made another interesting discovery during the restoration of the tower when they found Bangay’s signature on one of the timbers, dated 1881.

Belmont House will be explored in the first episode of brand new Channel 4 series Restoring Britain’s Landmarks, which will air tonight at 8pm.

The show will follow amazing restorations and delve into the history surrounding some of Britain’s most remarkable buildings.

The programme will be co-hosted by historian Dr Anna Keay, building surveyor Alastair Dick-Cleland and John Evetts, who has shaped the presentation of Landmark’s buildings for almost 40 years. 

Belmont House will be explored in the first episode of brand new Channel 4 series Restoring Britain’s Landmarks

The programme will be co-hosted by historian Dr Anna Keay (middle), building surveyor Alastair Dick-Cleland (left) and John Evetts (right), who has shaped the presentation of Landmark’s buildings for almost 40 years

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