Burghley House, Stamford (Lincoln)

Introduction

Burghley House is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan age, and has been home to the Cecil Family for over 400 years. A superb example of British heritage and an English mansion. A visit to this historic home transports you back through the centuries as you explore the quarter of a mile of staterooms, containing breathtaking painted ceilings by AntonioVerrio, including his Heaven Room and Hell Staircase, over 400 paintings, and a wonderful collection of Japanese porcelain.

History to the present day

Burghley House was built for Sir William Cecil, later 1st Baron Burghley, who was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1558 and 1587 and modelled on the privy lodgings of Richmond Palace. It was subsequently the residence of his descendants, the Earls and Marquesses of Exeter.

The house is one of the principal examples of 16th century English Elizabethan architecture and also has a suite of rooms remodelled in the baroque style, with carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The main part of the house has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas.

In the 17th century, the open loggias around the ground floor were enclosed. Although the house was built in the letter E in honour of Queen Elizabeth, it is now missing its north-west wing. During the period of the 9th Earl's ownership, and under the guidance of "Capability" Brown, the south front was raised to alter the roof line, and the north-west wing was demolished to allow better views of the new parkland.

Food and Drinks

The Orangery is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm, excluding Fridays, providing more formal dining with a wide choice of menu options.

The Garden Café is open every day during the opening season from 11.00am to 5.00pm offering a choice of light snacks, hot and cold drinks and ice creams.

Grounds and gardens

The gardens and 2000 acre parkland were largely designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the eighteenth century. The parkland is open all year from dawn until dusk.

The main visitor gardens at Burghley are the Gardens of Surprise and the Sculpture Garden. One admission ticket covers both gardens and they are open daily from 11.00am - 5.00pm from March to October. Admission to The Sculpture Garden is free of charge in the winter months.

Other facilities

Audio guides both for adults and families are available. Both last approximatley one hour and give unique behind the scenes stories as well as an informative and fun history of the house and collections.

Guided tours are also available for individual visits once a day at 3.00pm depending on availability, and last approximately one hour.

Gift Shop and Garden Plant Shop available. 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: , Lincoln, , United Kingdom

Address: Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 3JY

Opening Hours: The House and Gardens of Surprise open from 17th March-28th October 2012 from 11.00am-5.00pm. The Park is open everyday from dawn till dusk.

Directions: Burghley is a mile from Stamford, 20 minutes north of Peterborough on the A1.

More photos of Burghley House, Stamford

Deers at Burghley