Most Poole residents will be familiar with Byngley House on Market Street, Poole, and some might even have been inside. After much restoration, Julia and Paul Bradley, the new owners of one of the oldest properties in the town have decided to open the house to the public for one day on October 15.

Built in 1567 by rich merchant Thomas Byngley, the house is a stunning period residence that exudes a wealth of history. His main business was dealing in green corn, house building and cloth. He was Mayor of Poole in 1555 and son William Byngley was also made Mayor in 1563.

In Thomas's last will in December 1567 he left a substantial property, silver and gilt to his daughters and son, plus the sum of £400 to his wife Alice, a substantial amount even then.

"There were few buildings in Poole at the time Byngley House was built", said Julia who was born and brought up in Poole.

" St James's Church dates back to the 13th century, the King Charles, formally called the New Inn , was built in the early 14th century and was used as a 'wool house'. Poole's oldest pub the Antelope Inn also dates back to the 14th century, and St George's Almshouses were not built until the early 16th century".

During the English Civil War Oliver Cromwell is rumoured to have spent time at Byngley House, using it as a meeting place to pay his Parliamentarians. Cromwell's soldiers were billeted at nearby Scaplen's Court which was then a merchant's house and an inn for rich travellers. Carved initials and dates by his men can still be seen on the old stone fire-surround today.

Before Julia and Paul owned the house it was a private home under the protection of the Royal Society of the Preservation of Historical Buildings. The public last had access to Byngley House in 1980 when Brian Nation, a collector of English oak furniture, owned and lived in the property.

He bought Byngley in 1968 and after extensively renovating the building with his friend John Felts, opened it as a museum eight years later. On show then were finds made during the restoration, such as clay pipes, George III halfpennies and the carved hull of a model ship.

Today, Byngley House remains a handsome Grade II listed Elizabethan house, set in the heart of Old Town Poole, and still boasts an abundance of original features that are protected.

Julia and Paul have spent the summer restoring Byngley to its full glory.

"Each and every room has been sympathetically kept to retain the property's beauty and history. Byngley House lavishes 16th century romance, elegance and luxury whilst providing modern day class and comfort", said Julia who lives with her husband opposite Byngley.

"One of the main features is the stairwell. Byngley House boasts one of the last few remaining original solid oak Elizabethan stairwells in England".

Consisting of eight returns, each with four stairs and quarter landings, the staircase survives intact and virtually unaltered. There is also an enclosed well of 2ft 6inch square that has exposed timber framed sides with wattle and daub fillings which housed the original dumb waiter with its oak doors and cast iron hinges. Today it has been turned into useful storage.

"You get a real sense of the property's history and character as you ascend to the higher levels", said Julia.

Since purchasing Byngley earlier this year, Julia has been busy sourcing period furniture and other items around the country to compliment the history of the building.

The highlight is the master bedroom with its dominant original Elizabethan stone fireplace and to the left a stone mullion with the original hand-made stained glass window. Exposed stone work surrounds the window and is repeated beneath the impressive large front facing bay with oak frame and leaded glass authentic timber cill and stone window seat. There are also exposed beams to the ceiling and exposed timbers to the walls.

Since being built Byngley House has been divided into two properties, Byngley House and Mary Tudor Cottage. It is hoped the two properties will be reunited one day.

People are intrigued with Byngley House and many pause to look through the window.

"It's very much the centre of attention, and now with it being available for short breaks everyone has the opportunity to enjoy her charm", said Paul.

The Mayor of Poole, Xena Dion, will carry out the opening ceremony at 1pm and the house will remain open until 4pm. The winner of a free prize draw of an overnight stay at Byngley will also be drawn from a hat. To enter the draw simply like and share the Byngley House Facebook page.