Berrington Hall

Berrington Hall is the creation of Thomas Harley, the 3rd Earl of Oxford's remarkable son, who made a fortune from supplying pay and clothing to the British Army in America and became Lord Mayor of London in 1767 at the age of thirty-seven. The architect was the fashionable Henry Holland. The house is beautifully set above the wide valley of a tributary of the River Lugg, with views west and south to the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. This was the site advised by `Capability' Brown who created the lake with its artificial island. The rather plain neo-classical exterior with a central portico gives no clue to the lavishness of the interior. Plaster ceilings now decorated in muted pastel colours adorn the principal rooms. Holland's masterpiece is the staircase hall rising to a central dome. The rooms are set off with a collection of French furniture, including pieces which belonged to the Comte de Flahault, natural son of Talleyrand, and Napoleon's step- daughter Hortense. In the dining room, vast panoramic paintings of battles at sea, three of them by Thomas Luny, are a tribute to the distinguished Admiral Rodney. OPENING TIMES House: 27 Mar - 31 Oct: Daily except Thur & Fri. (closed Good Fri) 1.30 - 5.30pm. (4.30pm in Oct). Garden 27 Mar - 31 Oct: Daily except Thur & Fri. (closed Good Fri) 12.30 - 6pm. (5pm in Oct). Park Walk 1 Jul - 31 Oct: Daily except Thur & Fri. (closed Good Fri) 1.30 - 5.30pm (4.30pm in Oct).