Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire - built by Robert Adam. Home of the Curzon family

Kedleston was the home of the Curzon family, Lords Scarsdale, who arrived here in the 12th century. Kedleston Hall is a classical Palladian mansion built for the first Baron Scarsdale between 1759 and 1765. Three architects were involved - Matthew Brettingham of Nottingham drew up the first design which included the colonnades, but he was superseded by Jame Paine who designed and built the centre block, and the building was completed by Robert Adam.

The interior includes the Marble Hall and is one of the best examples of Robert Adam's interiors in England, all the more because it has seen very little alteration since its completion. The state rooms are on a grand scale and have particularly good collections of paintings and original furniture. A museum of remarkable furniture and artefacts collected by Lord Curzon (1859 - 1925) when he was Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905 is housed in the Eastern Museum.

The gardens were landscaped in the 1760s as a fashionable 'Pleasure Ground' of the period and a 'ha ha' allows uninterrupted views of the parkland and grazing areas beyond. There are numerous sculptures and architectural features with a summer house and an orangery. A sunken rose bed and finely stocked shrub and flower beds complete a charming and relaxed area.

Only the small church remains from the original village of Kedleston, which was moved 2km in 1757 by Sir Nathaniel Curzon, first Baron Scarsdale, to take it away from the new house. Built originally in the 13th Century the church retains many interesting features but is dominated by a flamboyant tomb to Lord Curzon who was Viceroy of India. His effigy lies next to his first wife as he planned the tomb well in advance of his death. History does not record how his second wife viewed his final resting place!

The Park covers 820 acres and was also designed by Robert Adam who created the five lakes as well as various smaller buildings and walks. Entrance to the Park takes you over the Adam Bridge and the lakes are home to a variety of wildfowl. There are two established walks of one and two hours duration and tours are available of the Fishing Room and Boat Houses which have been recently restored. There are picnic tables near the car park.