Burghley House Gardens & Deer Park — Attraction in St. Martin's Without

Very chilly March day and a just over one hour drive from home having pre-booked for house and garden. New car park being built but in the meantime rather rutted spaces under trees to stick the car and am stroll to the new atrium that is used for the welcome. Ask to have the guide the paintings! We were not told there was one until much too late. There are dozens and it would help to be able to see who painted what, when and what is featured. There is a projected guide featuring actors representing some of the Earls in the first room upstairs by an odd little room of curios but then you cross a courtyard into the main house. It is cold and we felt for the room guides who must have been very chilly. Up to this point I felt 4 stars were likely but then the house is so unusual I upped my score. The tapestries, furnishings and paintings are of such quality it is incredible. We were told some of The Crown TV series was filmed here - much needed revenue keeping this money pit going. Extremely nice staff everywhere. This is such an incredible plus point! We ate at the Orangery which had most of its best food offers finishing by 11.45am so lunch choices were rather few. Our belly pork sandwiches were quite hard to tackle but tasty with good chips. Then we went off for a yomp but directions are poor so we rather missed our way to the Lion Bridge and then got to the ha ha and there was no way round but to come back. No deer that we saw. Next stop the formal gardens. I found the centre of the mirror maze, enjoyed the water features and time pieces. Less enamoured of the sculptures - the daffodils and other flora were superior and we looped back to the second shop and a cafe where we had tea and cake. Shop prices a bit steep and cake slices over £5 but it is clear where the investment goes. A good day out which we made cover 5 hours. Not a great deal for children. Wonderful history and craftsmanship on display. 4.7...

"On painted ceilings we devoutly stare where sprawl the saints of Verrio and Laguerre " I am not a poet I am sure you know it , These words were wrote by Alexander Pope. OK I will keep the day job but this place is cool that's capital C.O.O.L. Built in 1587 by William Cecil 1st Baron of Burghley for the enormous sum of £21000 . Antonio Verrios painted ceilings are nothing short of spectacular ! You can spot all of your favourite Greek/Roman heroes and villains in them . The Heaven Room and Hell Staircase just blew me away . The man himself Verrio has actually hidden a self portrait in amongst all the characters finding his very own place amongst the God's. Laguerre's paintings depicting The Battle of Cannae and Anthony and Cleopatra are just as amazing , stunning . If only I had half this talent . There are also carvings by the highly admired and famous Grinling Gibbons . And beautifully landscaped grounds by the incomparable Capability Brown . The building itself is an Elizabethan Architectural Masterpiece . I could wile away the rest of my days here with ease and never want to leave . I loved a model they have here of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem . The Guides are all most friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic it is truly a wonderful place to visit and a great experience . So much here to learn , admire and be awestruck by . As an added bonus you have the beautiful town of Stamford just down the road . What's not to like ! Plus your ticket is valid for a year so you can return...

What a place !!! Large garden complex with 30 plus water features, mirrors, water gardens and sculptures. Plenty of time needed to wander round. The house itself is lavish !! From one room to the next the wall and ceiling paintings are amazing - strange how nudity was okay in those days if you were an angel or demon !!!! You can't help but be impressed with the furnishings, the decor the sumptuousness of it all - how the other half lived !! (Actually it was probably only 2% of the population of the time !!). You certainly get value for money here. Toilets etc dotted about. Parking - no height barriers. Reasonable prices for drinks etc. The one criticism I have - which is fairly important in my opinion - there were virtually no boards explaining the rooms, the furnishings, dates etc. I admit to often forgetting these finer details soon after a visit, but nevertheless I do read them, and do find them interesting. Guides here are well informed, but not in every room. Well worth visiting - well signed...