ONE of the country’s oldest schools is set to transform part of its medieval stables to make way for a museum, which will be open to the public.

Winchester College has just received planning permission to convert its stables into an area showcasing some of its many treasures.

The renovations will include part of the Moberly Library and the headmaster’s house.

Members of the museum committee, who have been developing the multi-million pound project for the last 10 years, hope to open the doors to the public in the summer of next year.

Chairman of the museum committee, Robert Wyke, said: “It’s been very long in its gestation.

“The idea is to convert spaces that are ancient – part of the building dates back to the 1390s.

“We thought it would be good to do something primarily for educational purposes in the school but also so the public could have access to it, particularly local schools.

“There will be access for the pupils from Moberly Library and that will give access to a mezzanine for displays and teaching. The main room will hold a collection of what we already have.

“There’ll also be a space of various exhibitions and we’ll be able to accept a number of loaned objects.”

College officials have earmarked £3m for the project which includes the initial ground works as well as running costs.

Entry to the museum will be charged but the college has yet to determine its fee.

Artefacts set to be displayed include a range of Chinese porcelain and Greek vases – donated by some of the college’s supporters – as well as a 19th century stained-glass window, depicting the life of Lancelot and Guinevere, which was unearthed during the site’s excavation.

Archaeologists are currently on site at the Grade I listed building before foundation works go in.

Mr Wyke said it the project has been largely supported with the help of museum professor Rachel Wragg and local historian John Crook.

“We now know more about this part of the building than we ever did,” Mr Wyke added.

“I’d also like to say thank you to John Falconer. He did an awful lot of the original thinking but he retired before the formal process began.”