Private (HHA)
The house was built in the 1730’s by virtuoso architect James Gibbs, and is a very attractive red-brick building of symmetrical and reticent design. The present interior decoration owes much to society decorator Nancy Lancaster, who lived at the house. Ground floor and first floor rooms can be viewed. In the basement, various staff and service rooms, and the modern heating plant can be seen. The basement area was opened for visitors in 2022.
Outside, behind the house are extensive gardens, serpentine lake and grassland. Do not miss the triangular walled garden with its fine displays of flowers (in season) and its greenhouses. For the children, there are some fairies to be found in the Wilderness area.
The house and contents are well worth a visit, and the gardens are also a popular attraction. The house is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, but the gardens are open additionally on Thursday and Sunday. It might be wise to arrive in good time if you want to see everything.
Disabled visitors should inquire about the lifts, noting that the entrance to the ground floor, at the side of the main block, involves a substantial flight of steps, and there is a long flight of steps up to the first floor. I noted a video show on the ground floor showing the treasures on the first floor.
Also note the somewhat confusing arrangements in the visitor reception centre, where the reception also takes the payments for guidebooks and other knick-knacks, and the tearoom is at one side of reception while the till and counter is on the other side.
Kelmarsh is no longer associated with the Croome furniture collection.
