The Victorian Kitchen |
The Library |
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The original Kitchen in the House has recently been restored. Visitors can see how the staff prepared a banquet for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1846, learn about everyday life and experience the atmosphere of a Victorian Kitchen. |
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The shelves lining the walls contain a collection of some 10,000 volumes dating from the mid-sixteenth century to the present day. The windows overlook the West Garden and the Old Palace. |
The Chapel |
The Marble Hall |
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The Chapel, consecrated in 1614, is still in regular use as a place of worship. The stained glass window, depicting Old Testament scenes, was made in 1610 by English, French and Flemish glass-painters.
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This Great Hall, with its extravagant oak carving, remains much as the First Earl of Salisbury, built it in 1611. Occupying two floors, it has original tables and benches, ceilings by Giulio Taldini and seventeenth century Brussels tapestry.
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Winter Dining Room |
The Armoury |
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All grand Jacobean houses had a first floor suite of important rooms leading out of the Great Chamber. The tapestries known as the Four Seasons made by Ralph Sheldon in 1611 are probably the finest English tapestries of their period in existence. |
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The Armoury began as an open loggia but in 1834, the windows were filled in and later the paneling was added. The collection of Armour includes a valuable jousting set made in Henry VIII’s workshops and a fine Dutch organ supplied to Hatfield House in 1609. |
The Grand Staircase |
King James’ Drawing Room |
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One of the finest examples of the period in existence, this was an adaption of the Italian Renaissance style to the English type of oak staircase. It is elaborately carved, and each pillar is surmounted by a figure. |
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The principal reception room in the House was originally called the King’s Great Chamber. The chimney piece, which incorporates a life-size statue of James I, painted to look like bronze, was designed by the French sculptor Maximilian Colt. (d.1649) |
Chinese Bedroom |
The Long Gallery |
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Originally the room was twice its present size and formed part of a suite which was set aside as special apartments for the King – the bed, the chimney piece and the ceiling all date from the first half of the 19th century. |
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The Long Gallery runs the entire length of the South Front. The ceiling was covered with gold leaf by the 2nd Marquess. The panels between the pillars at each end were removed and the rooms which had formed them incorporated into the Gallery. |
North Gallery |
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Leading off the Long Gallery there is a smaller room called the North Gallery with small windows overlooking the Marble Hall. After dinner wives could keep an eye on their husbands, and if they had been drinking too freely, send down to have them carried to bed! |
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