This is one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age situated within 2000 acres of parkland surrounded by 8,500 acres of farmland. Built between 1555 and 1587 from the nearby Limestone quarry, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas. There are painted staircases, walls and ceilings, frescos, a baroque palace and baroque interiors. The lead roof extends to three quarters of an acre, restoration and rebuilding of which began in 1983. In the south wing many of the 2nd-storey windows are blank frames given the internal height of the first floor staterooms (18 feet). The central gatehouse in the western part of the house with its the gilded wrought iron gates is similar to the facade of Somerset House (London). The third floor is the Prospect room which is extensively glazed and offers views over parkland, the roof roof and the Inner Court. There is an obelisk which crowns the clock tower of the magnificent inner court which is surrounded by columns, other obelisks and unique classical architectural forms. The staterooms reflect the splendor of the 17th and 18th century period. There is also a fan-vaulted Tudor kitchen, one of a few of its kind remaining. Facilities include the Orangery Restaurant complete with its own courtyard, Gift Shop and cellars. The stables have there own courtyard with a central fountain. There is historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and occupied by a herd of fallow deer and over 700 acres of woodland. There is also an avenue of lime-trees leading away from the northern wing of the house and landscaped gardens in the Sculpture Gardens and Garden of Surprises. This location is 90 miles from central London (approx. 2hrs).