Benefactor Andrew Brownsword has welcomed the start of work on a major restoration project at Bath's Royal Crescent.

His charity is helping to fund work to reunite the Georgian townhouse museum at No 1 Royal Crescent with its original servants' wing next door.

The project, which will open up more rooms to the public at the Bath Preservation Trust attraction, has begun with the basement kitchen and scullery at the annexe the first to be tackled.

The Brownsword Charitable Foundation bought the property in 2006 to lease to the trust and is paying for the renovation work to bring the building up to scratch.

Further work to create a museum which shows the reality of life both above and below stairs in Georgian Bath will be funded by a £1.4 million Heritage Lottery Fund, and the trust's own Whole Story Project fundraising efforts.

Hotel owner Mr Brownsword said: "It has been my wish for many years that residents and visitors to Bath be able to see more of what life was like here in the late 18th century. We have stunning architecture and streetscapes, but little opportunity to really understand what life in the city was like for residents 200 years ago.

"The Whole Story Project will provide a much better insight, from both above and below stairs perspectives, and substantially increase the educational opportunities at the house.

"I'm very excited that the work has started and encourage anyone else with a passion for understanding Georgian life to support the project and make a donation, however small."

Once the kitchen and scullery have been prepared, a ground floor ticket hall and shop will be laid out, while a gentleman's retreat room will also be brought back to life using information uncovered about its past decoration and the interests of its first resident, Henry Sandford.

The exterior of 1A will be returned to a more attractive Georgian appearance, with restored Venetian windows and renovated stonework.

The work at 1A will continue until autumn, by which time the upstairs will house the Brownsword Gallery – an exhibition space where visitors can see various changing displays relating to the house, ranging from additional pieces of the museum's collection to children's drawings from after-school visits.

A lift will connect all three floors in 1A and eventually offer disabled access to two floors in No 1, where work will also be carried out, and which will remain open during the project next door.

Trust chief executive Caroline Kay said: "It is extremely exciting to see the work start on 1A, as the first step towards realising our transformation of the museum. We are most grateful to the BCF for their support."

Further information including how to volunteer with the project or make a donation can be found at www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk.

Meanwhile, the charity is looking for information about two holes in the wall of 1A. The foot-diameter holes have been blocked up for some time but anyone with information is asked to email jabbott@bptrust.org.uk.