Trace the footsteps of the lustful and bloodthirsty Tudors, as portrayed in the BBC series 'The Tudors' starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer and Jeremy Northam.
Season 2 is now available to buy on DVD and Lincolnshire Tourism has teamed up with Sony to offer some great prizes in national publications. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best historical attractions in the county and some brand new accommodation to complement the stately homes and gardens.
Re-live the drama and splendour of this intriguing era of British history as you discover some of Lincolnshire's top heritage attractions.
Burghley House
www.burghley.co.uk
Stamford, PE9 3JY
Tel: 01780 752451
Stunning Burghley is one of England’s largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan age, home of the Cecil family for more than 400 years.
Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, the main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas. The lead roof extends to three quarters of an acre, restoration and rebuilding of which began in 1983 and took nearly ten years to complete.
Visitor facilities include the Orangery Restaurant, gift shop, new Gardens of Surprise and beautiful walks around the historic parkland laid out by Capability Brown and still occupied by a herd of fallow deer.
Following recent roles in Pride and Prejudice and the Da Vinci Code, Burghley is yet again taking a key role in a major UK blockbuster due to hit our screens in November 2007. The Golden Age, sequel to the 1998 award winning film Elizabeth made by Working Title, is a historical thriller set against the backdrop of the religious fanaticism of the late 16th century and visits the 'Virgin Queen' in the middle years of her reign.
While the stars were not at the House, filming took place in July 2006 at Burghley, which will portray the home of Dr John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I personal astrologer and adviser, played by David Threlfall (Master and Commander), as well as other London and Parisian street scenes.
New for 2007 is the £1.5m Tudor-inspired ‘Gardens of Surprise’ creating a fresh visitor attraction mixing classic and modern design dedicated to William Cecil, who was a passionate gardener and design pioneer.
Doddington Hall
www.doddingtonhall.com
Doddington, Lincolnshire, LN6 4RU
Tel. 01522 694 308
Doddington Hall is a stunning Elizabethan mansion complete with walled courtyards and a gabled gatehouse.
A much loved family home it has never been sold since it was built in 1595 by Robert Smythson, one of England’s foremost Elizabethan architects.
The mellow brick exterior with its walled courtyards has barely changed while the interior was redecorated in Georgian times in a light and elegant style.
Doddington’s original walled courtyards now enclose fabulous formal gardens whilst beyond the walls you will discover romantic wild gardens and nature walks.
The two-acre walled kitchen garden, with its traditional potting sheds and a large dipping pond, produces wonderful fruit and vegetables and opened to the public for the first time in 2007.
Also new from summer 2007 will be a Farmshop and Café in a farmyard setting offering delicious Doddington and local produce from fresh fruit and vegetables to locally reared meat and fresh-cooked seasonal food.
Over 400 years of unbroken family occupation has resulted in fascinating collections of furniture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, porcelain, household objects along with a wealth of amusing stories. The Hall is still very much a family home.
A visit to Doddington offers a unique insight into family life through the ages and the challenges of looking after such a house in the 21st Century.
Recommended Accommodation for visiting Lincolnshire's Tudor attractions:
Willsons Cottage - This cottage is nestled in the historic city of Lincoln and offers truly unique accommodation in a remarkable city. Renovated by the same company, Kyson Design, who recently won a Grand Design award from the popular Channel 4 programme.
Built in 1834 from stone of fallen local churches the grade II listed cottage fell into disrepair until the Lincoln Civic Trust renovated the exterior.
Scott Kyson, who is originally from Lincolnshire, was helped by many members of his family to renovate the interior of the cottage; breathing new life into the historic building.
Express by Holiday Inn – one of the newest accommodations to come to Lincoln and situated well within easy walking distance of the cosmopolitan Brayford area and a leisurely stroll to uphill historic Lincoln.
The clean crisp design of Express by Holiday Inn offers great value for money and your home from home. Opens December 2008.
Why not explore the many eateries who commit to serving local produce?
Tastes of Lincolnshire is an easily identifiable logo which signifies an establishment who are passionate about Lincolnshire produce and serve it on their menus or supply it in their shops.
For a directory for all the members and interesting stories from around the county please pick up the latest Good Taste Magazine or email Amanda.Allford@lincolnshire.gov.uk to join the mailing list to receive it free to your door.
