Standing just ten miles northwest of Peterborough city centre, Burghley House represents one of England's finest surviving examples of Elizabethan architecture. Built between 1555 and 1587 for Sir William Cecil, who served as Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, the house has remained in the Cecil family for more than 450 years.
A House Built for Royal Favour
Sir William Cecil designed Burghley House himself, modelling it on the privy lodgings of Richmond Palace. The construction spanned 32 years at a cost of ยฃ21,000, a substantial sum equivalent to several million pounds in modern values. The floor plan originally formed the shape of the letter E in honour of Queen Elizabeth I, although the northwest wing is now missing.
The house contains 35 major rooms across the ground and first floors, alongside more than 80 lesser rooms. Its Grade I listed status, designated on 16 January 1956, recognises its exceptional architectural and historical importance. The park and gardens hold a separate Grade II* listing on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
Artistic Treasures Within
Burghley House houses one of the finest private collections of Italian Old Master paintings in Britain. The collection includes Artemisia Gentileschi's "Susanna and the Elders" (1622), an altarpiece by Paolo Veronese in the chapel, and seven works by Luca Giordano including a self-portrait. The house also contains an important collection of Japanese export porcelain, featuring pieces documented in an inventory as early as 1688, described as the earliest recorded in Europe.
The interiors showcase remarkable Baroque craftsmanship. Grinling Gibbons created intricate woodcarvings, whilst Antonio Verrio painted the celebrated ceiling works in the Hell Staircase and Heaven Room between 1697 and 1699. These dramatic spaces remain among the most visited areas of the house.
Capability Brown's Landscape
Lancelot "Capability" Brown transformed the parkland between 1754 and 1777, creating the landscape that visitors see today. His work included the construction of a 26-acre lake between 1775 and 1780 at a cost of ยฃ23,000. Brown also designed the Lion Bridge in 1778, built for 1,000 guineas. The parkland remains home to a herd of fallow deer.
The gardens have continued to evolve. The Garden of Surprises opened in 2007, featuring water traps, shell grottos, and a mirror maze. The newest addition, the Garden of Hope, opened in June 2026. These contemporary additions complement Brown's historic landscape, which was shortlisted for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award in 2026.
Visiting From Peterborough
Burghley House lies within the Peterborough unitary authority, in the civil parishes of Barnack and St Martin's Without. Historically part of the Soke of Peterborough, the estate maintains strong administrative and cultural ties to the city.
Reaching the house from Peterborough takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes by car via the A1 north. Stamford railway station, half a mile from the parkland entrance, sits on the cross-country route connecting to Peterborough's mainline services. Delaine Buses operate a local service stopping opposite the main visitor entrance on Barnack Road.
The house opens from Saturday to Thursday, 10.30am to 4.30pm, closing on Fridays. Gardens and the adventure play area operate daily from 10am to 5pm. Advance tickets cost ยฃ24.20 for adults and ยฃ10.45 for children, with family tickets at ยฃ61.60. Annual passes start from ยฃ28 for children, offering unlimited visits for 12 months. Historic Houses members receive free entry with valid membership cards.
Major Events and Film Appearances
The Defender Burghley Horse Trials, held from 3 to 6 September 2026, stands as one of the world's premier equestrian events. This CCI5*-L competition offers a prize fund exceeding ยฃ300,000 and attracts approximately 173,000 visitors over four days. The 2026 event names World Horse Welfare as its Charity of the Year.
Burghley House has served as a filming location for numerous productions. Recent appearances include Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" (2025) and the More4 television series "Great Estates From Above" (2025). Previous productions include "The Crown" (2016), "Pride & Prejudice" (2005), "The Da Vinci Code" (2006), and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007).
A Living Heritage
The Burghley House Preservation Trust Limited, a registered charity established in 1961, owns and operates the estate. Miranda Rock, granddaughter of the 6th Marquess of Exeter, lives at Burghley with her husband Orlando Rock, who serves as Chairman of Christie's UK. The house receives approximately 110,000 visitors annually, a figure that has nearly doubled since 2007.
The estate maintains its membership in the Treasure Houses of England, a consortium of ten significant historic houses. This status, combined with its local accessibility from Peterborough, makes Burghley House both an international heritage destination and a practical option for residents seeking a day out.
