Inside Burton Agnes Hall

I really enjoyed looking round the interior of Burton Agnes Hall. It is very well cared for and has a 'lived-in and loved' feel to it, despite the opulence of the decor. There are also some beautiful art works, including some excellent French Impressionist paintings and some contemporary tapestries and sculptures. The rooms are well-proportioned and the house has changed relatively little (compared to many stately homes) since it was built in the Tudor Renaissance style. I particularly liked the light, elegant, panelled Drawing Room shown below.

The Great Hall has some amazing carvings on the fireplace and the oak and stone screen.

The Queen's State Bedchamber, with a beautiful Elizabethan plasterwork ceiling, had indeed a very feminine feel to it. It was reputedly haunted by a daughter of the family - read the full 'ghost story' HERE. 

The King's Bedchamber had lots of portraits of ladies on the walls!

There were some nice details too, including a wonderful chess set, with pieces showing robed Kings, Queens, Bishops and the like. They were wonderfully generous in allowing photography inside (I wish some other places would be so helpful!) but indoor light levels are fairly low and my photo came out a little blurred as a result.

I fell in love with this painting too: The Ravenscroft Boys, by Philip Reinagle (1749-1833), court painter to George III. (A niece of one of the boys depicted married into the family linked to Burton Agnes Hall, which is, I suppose, why they have the painting). I loved the playfulness the artist has captured among the brothers. 

Above the entrance to Burton Agnes Hall, the date is picked out - 1601, along with the initials of Henry Griffith.