Location

Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5NJ

Off A422 1m SW of Alcester. From London 100m, M40 via Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon.

History

Ragley Hall, home of the Earl and Countess of Yarmouth was designed by Robert Hooke in 1680 and is one of the earliest and loveliest of England's great Palladian country houses. The perfect symmetry of its architecture remains unchanged except for the massive portico added by Wyatt in 1780.

The present interior is almost entirely due to two widely separated generations, 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.

The present owners are the Earl and Countess of Yarmouth who are continuing the ongoing task of restoration and renovation to maintain Ragley in its present glory. Notable also is the mural, by Graham Rust, in the South Staircase Hall which was completed in 1983.

Gardens

The main formal garden descends in a series of wide rose-covered terraces. The rest of the 27 acre garden consists of shrubs and trees interspersed with spacious lawns providing vistas across the 400-acre park.

Other features are the lake, created in 1625, the cricket pitch, still in regular use, the adventure playground and maze.

Facilities & Amenities

Shop. Private and corporate entertainment. Wedding receptions, conferences, seminars, product launches, dinners and activity days, film and photographic location, park, lake and picnic area, marquee. No photography in house. Guide book translated in French and German.

Catering for special functions available up to 800. Telephone for details.

Disabled visitors may alight at entrance, before parking in allocated areas. Disabled WCs. Lifts.

Licensed tea rooms 11 am - 5 pm. Groups must pre-book.

Private tours by Lord Yarmouth available outside opening hours. Tour time 1 hour.

Coach drivers admitted free and receive info pack and luncheon voucher. Please advise of group visits.

School groups welcome. Teachers' packs and work modules on request. Adventure Wood and Woodland Walk.

No dogs allowed.

Civil Wedding Licence.