News from Burghley

Prime time TV show year sparks huge interest in England’s greatest Elizabethan house

Fresh from ‘starring’ in last week’s new TV series from the creator of Downton Abbey, England’s greatest Elizabethan house is all set to offer visitors an event-packed 2013.

Viewers were treated to a fascinating insight into Lincolnshire’s Burghley House as ITV’s ‘Great Houses’ with Julian Fellowes launched a compelling two-part factual series last Tuesday.

Burghley House

The man who has penned the most successful period dramas of recent years has turned his attention to the real life stories and secrets of not only those that owned these grand houses, but also those that served in them.

Thanks to its latest TV starring role Burghley, which sits on the edge of the picturesque Georgian stone town of Stamford, has seen a big spike in visitor interest.

“We were thrilled to be involved with the programme and it has certainly caused a stir, we saw a rise in visitors to our website and we had some lovely comments on our Twitter and FaceBook pages,” said Miranda Rock, House Director.

For the last four centuries Burghley - built for Elizabeth I’s chief minister William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley - has wowed visitors, whether Elizabethan royalty, locals enjoying the parkland or tourists from across the globe.

It now offers a packed family day out with a combined ticket giving access to the stunning history and architecture of the House, and its huge collection of treasures, plus two gardens, including the Tudor-inspired Garden of Surprises.

Burghley House opens again for its 2013 on Saturday 16th March and among highlights lined up for the new season are a brand new outdoor summer Film Festival, expanded Olympic Corridor exhibition featuring Lord Sebastian Coe’s 2012 Olympic torch and new Spooky Tours while Burghley’s famous Horse Trials course will host the Rat Race, the world's biggest assault course (11th & Sunday 12th May).

Added to that line-up will be a new Treasury Exhibition featuring some of Burghley’s remarkable collection of Japanese Lacquer, some rarely seen in the West, and an expanded Burghley Shop, a third bigger and offering new lines.

Although owned and maintained by Burghley House Preservation Trust, the House continues to have a strong connection to William Cecil – and is still very much a family home as well as a popular visitor attraction.

The current House Director is Miranda Rock - a direct descendant of William Cecil - who lives there with her young family, and the new-look Burghley Shop will include a special selection of products personally chosen by each member of the Rock family.

Completing the 2013 line-up will be children’s events in summer and autumn as well as the annual free-to-enter Burghley Fine Food Markets (Easter, summer and Christmas) while during October Autumn Colours will see the State Rooms transformed with floral displays created by local flower societies, offering a new perspective on the house.

For full details of opening times, events and to book online tickets, visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.