ALL may seem quiet at Tintagel Old Post Office during the winter; but within its walls it remains a hive of activity.

Over the last few months, National Trust specialists have been working hard to preserve this miniature medieval manor house, which is now over 600 years old.

The building is commonly seen as Victorian due to its final use as a letter-receiving office in the 1870s.

Now known as ‘The Old Post Office,’ it was first built sometime between 1350 and 1400 as the home of a prosperous farmer.

It was given Grade I listed status in 1952 and remains one of the best examples of Cornish vernacular architecture.

With much of the original medieval stonework in place, a roof dating back to the 16th century and an ever-growing number of visitors, the house needs constant attention.

House steward, Rhodri Davies, said: “As one of the smaller National Trust houses, we are unable to close-off rooms for conservation during the open season. So we use the quieter winter months to our advantage to carry out the cleaning of the house and collections and undertake crucial buildings maintenance.”

While the doors are closed, the house team as well as specialists in historic buildings, work hard to keep the building safe and accessible. Outside, masons may have been spotted repointing the traditional lime mortar on the wavy Tudor roof, one of the most important features of the house.

Restoration work is not a straightforward undertaking for such a complex building, but all the changes over the centuries only add to its fascination.

Rhodri added: “Instead of rebuilding, the owners chose to modify the house to fit with their needs or the trends of the time. Because of this, Tintagel Old Post Office is unique in that it showcases Cornish domestic life from just after the Black Death through to the Victorian period and beyond.”

In 1895, the locals of Tintagel, led by Catherine John, managed to safeguard the future of Tintagel Old Post Office by buying it through auction and making essential repairs by selling artworks from the house.

“Knowing it would need further restoration work, they appealed to the then newly-formed National Trust who agreed to help; and the charity has been looking after this precious piece of Cornwall’s history since 1903.

Rhodri added: “We have been repairing the house for over a century and. because of the materials it is made from, we will need to keep doing so. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on funding from our members, visitors and generous donors — none of this work would be possible if it wasn’t for their continued support.

“Thanks to them, Tintagel Old Post Office remains standing and we are able to realise Catherine Johns’ dream of preserving the house for future generations.”