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Eye in the Sky: Burley on the Hill

The story behind Rutland’s impressive Palladian mansion… Burley on the Hill. Ask anyone to identify the area’s most recognisable landmarks and the usual suspects of Rutland Water, Normanton Church, Oakham Castle and Burghley House are likely to be at the top of the list. But what about Burley on the Hill’s Palladian mansion? It’s visible from across Oakham and stands rather proudly on the county’s skyline even though it’s now a private dwelling, rather than a country park and no longer hosts the Rutland Show. The current house was built on the site of an earlier dwelling around 1690, mimicking the style of Sir Christopher Wren. Its earlier owner, Sir John (later Lord) Harrington sold Burley to George Villiers for...