Historic Home sights in Southwest England

1. Kingston Lacy

   • Dorset, England
   • Sights › historic home

   This is Dorset's must-see stately home. Looking every inch the setting for a period drama, it overflows with rich decor, most famously in the Spanish Room, which is smothered with gold and gilt. Other highlights are the hieroglyphics in the Egyptian Room and the elegant marble staircase and loggia. Artworks include the overwhelming ceiling fresco The Separation of Night and Day, by Guido Reni in the library, and paintings by Rubens, Titian and Van Dyck.

   The house became the home of the aristocratic Bankes family when they was evicted from Corfe Castle by the Roundheads; look out for the bronze statue of Dame Mary Bankes in the loggia – she's shown still holding the keys…

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