Burghley House
Burghley House (pronounced "Burlee") is one of the most sumptuous Elizabethan stately home in Britain.
Constructed between 1555 and 1587, the house was designed by his first occupant, William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I.
There are 35 major rooms and 80 lesser rooms, including the 18 grandiose State Rooms, with its Tudor Kitchen, George Rooms and Blue Silk Bedroom and Dressing Room.
The State Rooms contain one of the most important private collections of 17th century Italian paintings. One of the masterpieces is the Heaven Room and the Hell Staircase by Antonio Verrio. There are also works by Brueghel and Gainsborough, as well as tapestries, furniture, European porcelain and Japanese ceramics.
The park and gardens were designed by ’Capability’ Brown in the 18th century and part of it now include a contemporary sculpture park.
Admission
Burghley House is open from 25 March to 30 October between 11am and 5pm (last entry 4:30pm) . Entry is £8.20 for adults and £3.70 for children (5-15 years old).
The Sculpture Garden is open all year round. Admission is free, except between 4 June and 30 October, when it costs £3 for adults and £1 for children.
How to get there
Burghley House is in Stamford, some 15km west of Peterborough. Trains runs from London's King Cross station to Stamford via Peterborough in 1h10min (£26.50). There are also direct trains from Cambridge (1h, £13.80). Hourly trains from Lincoln (£17.70) take about 1h50min via Peterborough.
The House is located 1.5km south of Stamford station through the park (15min walk).
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