Set within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland, Longleat House is regarded as one of the best examples of high Elizabethan architecture in Britain and widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public. The House was built by Sir John Thynne between 1568 and 1580 as a prodigy House, visited by Elizabeth I in 1574, and now the home of the 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn. Inspired by various Italian interiors, including the Ducal Palace in Venice, the ceilings are renowned for their ornate paintings and abundance of gilt, made by the firm of John Dibblee Crace in the 1870s and 1880s. The furniture collection includes English pieces from as early as the 16th century and fine French furniture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Lord Bath’s paintings, The Murals, are unique to Longleat as they have been created by Lord Bath himself. Incorporating a mixture of oil paints and sawdust, these private works of art offer an insight into Lord Bath’s personality and beliefs. Tours can be booked at the Front Desk of Longleat House on the day of your visit, subject to availability. Longleat House offers "free flow" tours for the majority of the visitor season with guides posted in most of the rooms. If you’d prefer a more intimate visit, then the award-winning VIP Tours are ideal. Running from November through to March, these tours give visitors a chance to look behind closed doors and see parts of the House not usually accessible to the general public. Longleat House VIP Tours are subject to availability and must be pre-booked. Please see www.longleat.co.uk for details.