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Although it is not within the town of Stamford, Burghley House is only a mile distant and is closely linked with it historically. It is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan age. It is built on the site of a 12th century monastic house and was erected in the 16th century by William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley and Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. His descendants were created Earls of Exeter in 1605 and Marquesses in 1801 - the present holder of the title is the 8th Marquess.

This remarkable house, with 240 rooms, was extensively altered by John, fifth Earl of Exeter, in the 17th century and he established the immense art collection which is such a feature of Burghley today. Eighteen state rooms can be visited and show one of the finest collections of 17th century Italian paintings, a unique collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, fine furniture, rare tapestries and textiles, renowned silver fireplaces and intricate wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons. In all there are over 700 works of art in Burghley.

Many rooms contain ceilings painted by Verrio and Laguerre culminating in Verrio’s masterpiece, the Heaven Room, which is painted from floor to ceiling. This huge room, considered to be the finest painted room in England, gives the illusion of being in a mythological Heaven with gods and goddesses, satyrs and nymphs tumbling from the ceiling into the very room itself. The effect is quite stunning.

The oldest part of the house is the Great Hall with a splendid hammer-beam roof and also housing one of the largest silver wine coolers in the world.

Burghley is today owned by a private charitable trust set up by the 6th Marquess and is still a Cecil family home. It is set in a beautiful deer park that was landscaped by Capability Brown who also designed and built the Orangery where, nowadays, visitors may have meals. The house is open from 11 am to 5 pm every day except Fridays from April until the end of October, except for early September when the Burghley Three Day Horse Trials takes place. Further details can be obtained from the Burghley House Manager on 01780 752451. The grounds are open daily and the Sculpture Garden is open all year round from 10am until 5pm. (4pm in the winter months).

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Editorial courtesy of Mr P.J. Norris. Photographs supplied by Don Lambert Photography, Stamford 01780 757673.