Southern Aspect  (click anywhere on the image to zoom-in)


Burghley House, home of the Cecil family for over 400 years, was built as a country seat during the later part  of the 16th century by Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, principal adviser and Lord Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I.

The house was complete in 1587 and there have been few alterations to the architecture since that date, thus making Burghley one of the finest examples of late Elizabethan design in England.

The interior was remodelled in the late 17th century by John, 5th Earl of Exeter who was a collector of fine art on a huge scale, establishing the immense collection of art at Burghley.

Burghley is truly a 'Treasure House', containing one of the largest private collections of Italian art, unique examples of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and superb items of 18th century furniture.  Remodelling work in the 18th century means that examples of the work of the principal artists and craftsman of the period are to be found at Burghley: Antonio Verrio, Grinling Gibbons, and Louis Laguerre all made major contributions to the remarkable interiors.

The house is set in a 300 acre deer park landscaped by 'Capability' Brown under the direction of the 9th Earl.  As was usual with Brown's designs, a lake was created, and delightful avenues of mature trees feature largely.  The house and grounds are open to the public.

The Leathams commissioned Jonathan Myles-Lea to paint two views of Burghley; the second is the western aspect.

 

Western Aspect  (click anywhere on the image to zoom-in)



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