Ragley Hall

Historic Houses & Building

Home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertfor

RAGLEY HALL, home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford and their family, was designed by Robert Hooke in 1680 and is one of the earliest and loveliest of England's great Palladian houses. The perfect symmetry of its architecture remains unchanged except for the massive portico added by Wyatt in 1780. In 1750, when Francis Seymour owned Ragley, James Gibbs designed the magnificent baroque plasterwork of the Great Hall. On completion, Francis filled the Hall with French and English furniture and porcelain and had portraits of himself and his sons painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Notable also is the mural, by Graham Rust, in the south Staircase Hall which was completed in 1983. Park, gardens & Grounds Ragley is a working estate with more than 6000 acres of land, the house is situated in 27 acres of gardens that were designed by `Capability' Brown, and include the beautiful rose garden. Near to the hall are the working stables, housing a carriage collection dating back to 1760 and a display of assorted historical equestrian equipment. For children there is the adventure playground and maze situated by the lake. Historic Houses Association Member. OPENING TIMES Summer: 3 April - 3 October House Thur, Fri, Sun & BH Mons 12.30 - 5pm (last adm. 4.30pm), Sat 11am - 3.30pm (last adm. 3.00pm). Garden & Park Thur, Fri, Sat, & Sun 10am - 6pm (last adm. 4.45pm). Open BH Mon & July - August: Daily. Winter: Closed