Burghley House has been home to the Cecil family for over sixteen generations and is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century. The building period of the house extended over a period of 32 years 1555 to 1587. In 1754 the 9th Earl employed Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown to modernise the gardens and surrounding parkland as well as aspects of the house itself. Brown levelled the roofline elevation of the south front, constructed extensive stables, a fashionable Orangery and a Gothic garden summerhouse. He also demolished the single storey north-west wing to open up the north courtyard and to give views of the newly planted parkland. Within the main part of the house there are 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors with more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas on other floors, not all are open to the public.

Once you have fully explored the house, you can make your way to the grounds for a glorious “Last Night of the Proms” picnic style concert featuring a full piece orchestra playing popular classics including the traditional flag-waving favourites such as Rule Britannia, 1812 Overture, Jerusalem and Land of Hope & Glory. To finish the evening off there will be a stunning show of pyrotechnics and aerial displays whilst the orchestra performs rousing music such as Holst’s Jupiter. The music is guaranteed to make you wave your flag, sign out loud and even waltz under the stars!