The museum in Gunnersbury Park will be restored to its former glory after a whopping £4.1 million of Lottery funding was secured.

The green light, which had both Hounslow and Ealing councillors punching the air, has paved the way for a major overhaul, inside and out, including repair works to the Mansion, renovating rooms such as the long gallery, dining room and servants quarters, and a makeover to the reception area and gift shop.

The money will also be used to build new learning spaces, create showcase rooms for museum memorabilia, and installing a lift to the upper floors to improve public access.

Councillor Sachin Gupta, Hounslow council’s cabinet member for leisure and public health, said: “For the second time in a few weeks we’ve had great news for Gunnersbury Park, and we’re immensely grateful to the HLF for backing our vision for the museum and park.

“We’re working really hard to bring our ambitious plans to life, and this latest announcement is the next step towards creating a standout London park that residents can be proud of and visitors to the borough will be able to enjoy for years to come.”

This is the second mammoth funding boost granted by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) after £4.7 million was awarded for the restoration of Gunnersbury Park earlier this month - taking HLF's investment in the site to a total of £8.8 million.           

Gunnersbury Park

Ealing council’s leader, councillor Julian Bell said: “This is really fantastic news for Gunnersbury Park Museum and I’m absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to such a generous award to allow us to restore this important local history museum for the people of Ealing and Hounslow to enjoy.

“It’s really exciting to think that this architectural treasure is going to be transformed into a first class visitor attraction by 2017. I really can’t wait.”

Work will begin in autumn next year and are due for completion by spring 2017.

Improvement works to both the park and museum are expected to see visitor number rocket from 600,000 to more than one million a year.

Sue Bowers, head of HLF London said: “Gunnersbury Museum is an architectural gem set within a beautiful and popular park. 

"The museum’s restoration will be complementary to imminent redevelopment work at Gunnersbury Park - also funded by HLF - and will take our total investment in the site to almost £9m. 

"Proposals like these are welcomed by HLF as they demonstrate both partnership working and a wider vision for the regeneration of the area.”

The park had been neglected for many years and was added to English Heritage's 'at risk' list of endangered parks in 2008.

Proposals from council consultants the following year to sell part of the park for luxury housing to raise the money needed to return its crumbling buildings to their former glory met with a furious response.