Hagley Hall open to the public for exclusive glimpse of 18th century home
Visitors are offered the chance to step back in time on exclusive tours around an impressive 18th century home for a limited time.
The guided tours of Hagley Hall will take visitors around the ornate State Rooms featuring architectural masterpieces and impressive paintings – with stories to be discovered in every room.
Hagley Hall was the creation of George, 1st Lord Lyttelton, secretary to Frederick, Prince of Wales, poet and man of letters and at one time the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Before the death of his father in 1751, he began to landscape the grounds in the new ‘picturesque’ style, and between 1754 and 1760 it was he who was responsible for the building of the house as it is seen, near Stourbridge, today.
Hagley, last of the great Palladian houses, is thought to have been influenced by nearby Croome Court, but it ultimately derives from Colen Campbell’s designs for Houghton in Norfolk.
The original estimate for building the house was £12,000 – but the actual cost was £25,823 with a further £8,000 for decoration.
General manager Alison Plant said: “We have been open for tours for many years and are part of the Historic Houses Association – it really is a fascinating home to explore.
“However, we are unable to run them all year as we are also a wedding, corporate and private events venue. So we have an exclusive window at this time of year.”
Tours take place every day at 1.30pm and 3pm from now until Sunday, March 10, except for January 18 to January 21.
Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children, £7.50 for senior citizens and students, and while a family ticket costs £25.
Call 01562 887290 or visit www.hagleyhall.com
Parking is available at the hall.
