Welcome to Burghley House

Welcome to Burghley House — a true masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture nestled in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside. In this video, we’ll take you on a journey through its rich history, explore the magnificent architecture, and uncover the fascinating characters who brought it to life. Join us, Olivia and Gary, as we discover this incredible building and the centuries of stories waiting to be told. 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Welcome to Burghley House 00:49 William Cecil 01:18 The Golden Age 01:59 Building Burghley House 02:58 Iconic golden gates 03:17 The gardens of Capability Brown 03:43 Portraits and interiors 🌿 Whether you're a history lover, architecture enthusiast, or just love beautiful places, this is your invitation to experience the magic of Burghley House 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more explorations of Britain’s most beautiful and historic places. - Burghley House in Stamford has stood as one of England’s greatest stately homes for over 400 years. This magnificent 16th-century building is a prime example of the Elizabethan prodigy house; large, showy, proud and ambitious. Houses like Burghley were built by successful courtiers to demonstrate, just this – their success! The house was commissioned by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. He was created Lord Burghley in 1571 in acknowledgement of his loyal service. Work began here 470 years ago, in 1555. By 1587 the build was finished at a cost of £21k. A mere £5.7 million today - success, indeed! Burghley is a monument to Cecil’s political prowess. But more than this it is an architectural turning point. Capturing a newfound mid-sixteenth-century optimism that came to be known as the Golden Age. Longed for religious stability under Elizabeth, saw England securing her position as a prominent European power through trade and exploration. Gone was the need for defensible castles and fortresses. Great men like William Cecil, could now commission grand designs for opulent homes. Cecil is widely accepted to have been his own architect. He amassed the latest works from Italy and France, and was influenced by Dutch architect Hans Vredeman De Vries. The stone used was a hard, oolitic limestone, quarried from land owned by Cecil at nearby Kingscliffe, Northamptonshire. The East Range was the first to be completed in 1555, after which point things slowed a little on project Burghley. However, by 1577 The west front with its great gatehouse was completed, followed by the North front in 1587 After passing to his son, the first Earl of Exeter, Cecil’s descendants continue to call Burghley home today, each successive generation adding to the fabric of the house and grounds. And some more flamboyantly than others… The iconic Golden Gates, on the West front, are the mastery of Parisian Jean Tijou, who found himself at Burghley at the request of the 5th Earl and Countess of Exeter after their Grand Tour in the late seventeenth century Between 1756 and 1779, and under the watchful eye of the 9th Earl of Exeter, Capability Brown set to work on major plans for the house and grounds. Through Brown, Burghley gained the Stable Courtyard and Orangery, and the striking Lion Bridge, created in 1775. His work also included this beautiful sweeping 22-acre lake In addition to all this, Capability Brown advised the 9th Earl on interior decoration too… The importance of Brown’s contribution to Burghley is evident by the touching portrait that still hangs here in the Pagoda Room… The art collection at Burghley is, in part, the legacy of the 5th and 9th Earls of Exeter during their European grand tours . The State Rooms combine scale and opulence with Antonio Verrio ceilings reminiscent of royal palaces. We will be delving into the interiors and collections here at Burghley on out next visit.. As we discover more about ‘England’s Greatest Elizabethan House’ --- Follow us on social media: Instagram -   / charm_and_affability   TikTok -   / charm.and.affabil   #history #heritage #heritagehistory