Burghley is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age. Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. Visitor facilities include the Orangery Restaurant, Gift Shop, Gardens of Surprise and beautiful walks around the historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.

Burghley is a real treasure house, having been transformed throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries by two great collecting Earls. During the late 17th century the reign of John, the 5th Earl and his Countess, Anne transformed and embellished Burghley beyond recognition. Lord Exeter´s considerable taste was greatly aided by marrying a considerable heiress, Anne Cavendish, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Devonshire (from Chatsworth). The couple shared a passion for beautiful things and a lust for travel. They were among the first ´Grand Tourists´ and travelled to the great cultural centre of Europe collecting paintings, tapestries, sculptures and objects of virtue most of which can still be seen at Burghley today. In the eighteenth century, Brownlow the 9th Earl continued the transformation of the House, finishing off much of the interior which had lain forlorn since the death of the 5th Earl. He employed many of the foremost craftsmen to complete the interior fittings of Burghley. He purchased paintings and tapestries on travels through Europe from contemporary artists but also from the late seventeenth century and thus fitted into the existing scheme at Burghley. All of our collections can be enjoyed at your own leisure. Specialist lectures, study days and tours can be arranged with our conservators, curator and guides.

History can come alive in a single trip whether it is to enjoy a tour, take a dog for a walk in the park, take the children to see the Teddy Bear's picnic in the Sculpture Garden or take time over lunch in the Orangery.