Burghley House was built by Sir William Cecil later Lord Burghley, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I.

The house is one of the principle examples of 16th C English architecture. The 18 State Rooms open to visitors are mainly decorated in the 17thC style. The spectacular Heaven Room and Hell Staircase were decorated by Antonio Verrio.

Burghley has many great works of art and one of the most important private collections of 17th C Italian paintings. The collection of European pottery and porcelain is wide-ranging. Burghley also has a vast and important collection of oriental porcelain with superb examples of Japanese and Chinese porcelain.

There are extensive landscaped gardens and parkland. The avenues of parkland and park's lakes were designed by 'Capability' Brown. Visit the deer park, sculpture gardens, gift shop, the Brewhouse and Orangery Restaurant. Disabled access and facilities are available.

Various events are held throughout the year - the Burghley Horse Trials. Burghley has also been used as a filming location for example Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code.

The Garden of Surprises. Hidden inside a high yew hedge an experience to delight. Mirrors to exaggerate, mazes to confuse, squirts to distract, the dank moss house to captivate, sculptures and more.

The 'Time' Sculpture Exhibition is now open until 31st October.