House & Family History: In 1696 Melbourne was inherited by Thomas Coke, who subsequently traveled throughout Europe, being particularly influenced by garden design while in France. Melbourne was later noted as the home of the Victorian Prime Minister William Lamb.

Collections: The papers of Sir John Coke and Sir Thomas Coke were sold from Melbourne to The British Library in 1988 for £290,000.

Comments: Melbourne is considered the greatest surviving early 18th century English garden.

Garden & Outbuildings: In 1696 Melbourne was inherited by Thomas Coke, who subsequently traveled throughout Europe, where he was particularly influenced by the French garden designs of Le Notre. When he was back home in England, Coke designed, beginning in 1704, French style gardens at Melbourne. The garden is particularly noted for its wrought-iron Birdcage, made by 1706-08 by Robert Bakewell in the style of a temple; it cost the large sum of £120 (approximately £227,500 in 2012 values, using the labour value of the commodity index) and was made in a forge near the parish church.

Country Life: LXIII, 526, 1928.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Grade I

Current Seat / Home of: Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr

Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Coke, late 17th-early 18th centuries. Prime Minister William Lamb, 19th century. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Talbot Kerr, early 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01332-862-502

Fax: 01132-862-263

Website: http://www.melbournehall.com

Historic Houses Member: Yes