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More than a Great House

Seaton Delaval Hall is a great house set in its own estate with lovely gardens and a fine collection; bit it is also much more.

It is a signpost pointing to the diverse history of a family which acquired land here in the late 11th century. The house occupies the site of a Norman settlement, and its original Norman chapel remains in use today.

Built between 1719 and 1730 for Admiral George Delaval, it is not only the finest house in the north east of England, but also among the finest works of its architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, one of the masters of English Baroque.

For 900 years, the estate has been a stage for drama, intrigue and romance while the surrounding landscape has fuelled industrial revolution. The house has survived terrible fires, military occupation and potential ruin. Now it provides an amazing space for arts, heritage and the community to come together.

BBC's Antiques Roadshow

Antiques Roadshow experts at Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland © Maureen Ritson

Find out what other treasures were discovered in the second episode of the Antiques Roadshow from Seaton Delaval Hall, which will be shown on BBC1 on 29 April 2012

Conservation in action

Repair to a marble floor tile at Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland © National Trust

Come and see the conservation work in action

Seaton Delaval Hall has begun a programme of major conservation and building works, and is inviting you to join us at the start of a very special journey. Instead of closing our doors for two years and completing the necessary conservation works behind the scenes, we are sharing this journey with our visitors and the local community.

Our Conservation in action information leaflet contains full details of the planned works.

Digging in at Delaval

Gardeners working in the community allotments at Seaton Delaval Hall © Maureen Ritson

Our gardening team has turned part of the walled garden into a kitchen garden, creating free allotment plots for community groups to use.

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