My eyes struggled to adjust to the dim light as I walked into the cool of Burghley House, a beautiful home in the countryside at Stamford in Lincolnshire, on a summer evening. Corks popped and a glass of champagne was pressed into my hand. I followed the rest of the guests as we walked from the reception area through an arched doorway into a stone lined corridor.
My husband, our friends and I were at Burghley House for the Rolls Royce Enthusiast’s Club Annual Rally. My husband’s vintage Silver Shadow II was among the many beautiful Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles parked outside the house.
The corridor led to a huge Tudor kitchen. Late evening sun streamed through the windows and musicians played in the corner, while pockets of conversation bubbled around my husband and I. The sheer scale of the kitchen took my breath away. You could have walked into the huge fireplace, and there were lots of long wooden work tables, some of which seemed to have been hewn from single trees.
China plates and gleaming copper pans, jugs, bowls, and jelly moulds lined shelves on the walls. Below a triangular display of the skulls of small birds, a sign declared that “no servants shall enter the kitchen except on business or remain longer than is necessary to perform what they have to do.” On a cold winter day in Tudor times I can image the kitchen’s huge fires would have been more than appealing. The castle would have been so very cold that any excuse to tarry there would have been welcome.
An Englishman’s Home is His Castle
Built by William Cecil, advisor and close friend to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley House is beautifully preserved and looks and feels very unlike a museum. If you look closely enough, I’m sure you could see the shadows of the Tudors who lived there. Her bedroom at Burghley is incredibly opulent, with a gorgeous canopied bed, all decorated in beautiful shades of blue. Sadly she never actually stayed here!
Although it is called Burghley House, the property is perhaps better described as a ‘non-royal castle’. Back in the day it was built, you wouldn’t have wanted to upset the Queen by calling your home a castle – even if it did look like one.
We wandered, glass in hand, through a property that has seen over 500 years of tumultuous British history. Every room seemed more beautiful than the last. Priceless artworks line the walls, and the opulent decoration speaks of Cecil’s wealth and prestige.
There is so much history here. The room above – The Second George Room – was used as a bedroom by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1844. The bed was decorated with the Royal Coat of Arms in the Queen’s honour, although the original hangings date from 1795.
The Ceilings at Burghley House
Burghley House is a lavish and ornate celebration of William Cecil’s hard work, wealth and prestige. One of the things that is most striking about Burghley is the ceilings.
Many stately homes in England have painted ceilings, it was very much the style throughout the centuries. However the ceilings at Burghley are quite exceptional. Virtually every room is crowned with a masterpiece. Most haven’t been touched in over 300 years, yet the colours are still vibrant and striking.
We finished our tour and wandered out into the gardens for another glass of champagne. The string quartet had followed us from the kitchens and we chatted chatted in the gardens as we listened to them play.
In the 35 years I’ve lived in England, I’ve visited a lot of stately homes and castles. Burghley House is definitely one of my favourites. It’s breathtakingly beautiful but it also has a lovely atmosphere.
Despite being built during the turbulent Tudor era, when falling out of favour could mean losing your head, Burghley has a wonderful, warm feeling to it. It’s got all the hallmarks of a well-loved family home, albeit an extremely grand one. A delightful property, it’s the sort of place you see something new every time you visit. I hope to go back and explore some more again soon!
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Comments & Reviews
April,
Thank you for sharing these spectacular photos . Your descriptions were lovely. Very interesting post.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Judee. Thank you so much!
Definitely a place I’d like to visit when I make it to England. Boggles the mind, really. Thanks for taking us along April!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jaxx. Thank you 🙂
As a North American the English Castles has such an appeal. We have learned the history and as I love period literature and movies I would give anything to see the actual castles instead of a TV setting.
Thank you for the tour. I loved it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Leanna! Thank you so much 🙂
April I love how you take us on these virtual tours of some of the most amazing homes and castles in your part of the world. I would not otherwise see these beautiful and interesting places you share, thank you!
You look great in your blue this week! Thank you for sharing this week on Fridays Features!
Hope you have a lovely week!
Karren
I’m so glad you enjoy them, Karren. Thank you so much for the compliment! I hope your week is lovely too 🙂
What a beautiful place to visit. Look like you had a great time here April 🙂 Thanks for sharing at The Wednesday Blog Hop.
It really is, Claire! Thank you so much 🙂
How beautiful and that bed is to die for. I used to love going to the old castles when we lived in the UK. Me and my 70-year-old uncle sneaked into one that was closed to the public years ago. But we got caught and they kicked us out after telling my uncle he should know better. lol
That sounds like such a memorable experience, Anita! Burghley really is a gorgeous place to visit.
OH wow! I am just fascinated with all the beautiful and stately castles/palaces you have access to.
We really are lucky, Joanne! I’m looking forward to visiting them once again when our lockdown restrictions ease.
This is wonderful April, thank you for sharing your visit! I especially loved seeing the kitchen!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Leslie! It really is such an interesting place.