A NEWLY launched online literary trail is expected to draw fans of novelist Evelyn Waugh to Woodchester Mansion.

The Historic Houses Association’s trail has just gone live and includes the Georgian mansion among over 40 properties across the UK that are connected to famous writers, books and plays.

Waugh, who lived at Piers Court in Stinchcombe at the time, published his famous satire on the press “Scoop” only a month before he gave a talk in Woodchester Mansion courtyard in 1938.

He spoke on “The History and Associations of Woodchester Park” and pointed out that since the 16th century the Woodchester estate had never been owned by more than three successive generations of the same family.

At the time Waugh’s reputation was increasing thanks to “Scoop” and press archives recorded that a large crowd of people heard his lecture before he “good-humouredly” signed autographs.

The HHA online Literary Trail, which also includes Berkeley Castle, can be found at hha.org.uk/literary.

The trail initiative celebrates 2017 as Visit England’s “Year of Literary Heroes”.

Grade One listed Woodchester Mansion was mysteriously abandoned mid-construction in 1873 and so offers a unique view of the stonemason’s craft.

It re-opens to the public on Saturday, April 1. For-up-to-date opening times visit woodchestermansion.org.uk