Visiting the house at Hatchlands Park

The mansion at Hatchlands is a family home to our tenant, Alec Cobbe. The opening hours reflect this, allowing Mr Cobbe some privacy while still giving you an opportunity to glimpse the collections he's assembled. 

Robert Adam interiors 

Celebrated architect Robert Adam designed the interiors at Hatchlands, in his earliest country house commission. The motifs that run through the rooms are, appropriately for Admiral Boscawen, of a naval and seafaring theme. Dolphins, anchors and cannons feature, watched over by Neptune himself.  

You can see wonderful examples of Adam’s work in the plasterwork ceilings in the Library and Staircase Hall and the fireplace and ceiling in the Saloon. The Saloon is amongst the first of Adam’s great rooms, his influence is unmistakeable. 

The Cobbe Collection   

Explore an incredible collection of over 40 keyboard instruments owned or played by some of history’s greatest composers, and one of the largest of its kind in the world. 

The Cobbe Collection doesn’t stop with musical instruments, there’s also a group of remarkable paintings to discover on display throughout the house. This group of Old Master Works was brought together in the 18th century and the collection continues to grow.

Cobbe Collection concerts   

Instruments from the Cobbe Collection are maintained in playing condition. They’re used in concerts each summer and autumn with great musicians playing the music as it was meant to be heard. You can get concert dates and book your tickets through the Cobbe Collection Trust. 

House highlights

The Drawing Room 

Originally a private dining parlour for the Boscawens, the ceiling here was replaced in 1860 after the original collapsed.  

Don't miss: Sir Joshua Reynolds' portrait of Admiral Boscawen and Marie Antoinette's pianoforte made by Erard. 

The Saloon 

The Saloon started life as a grand dining room for the Admiral, fashionably located as far from the kitchens as possible. The design by Robert Adam was heavily influenced by his Grand Tour.  

Don't miss: the ceiling and fireplace by Robert Adam and the harpsichord by Andreas Ruckers from 1636. 

The Library 

This homely family room again features an original fireplace designed by Robert Adam. It also features the most elaborate of his ceilings, which was later gilded by Lord Rendel.  

Don't miss: Robert Adam's beautiful ceiling and the portraits of Shakespeare and Henry Wriothesley. 

The Staircase Hall and Garden Hall 

Take in the double-height hallway, featuring a grand staircase with Georgian chinoiserie banisters which connects through to the garden hall, the original entrance to the house.  

Don't miss: Chopin's Broadwood grand pianoforte and Elgar's Broadwood pianoforte. 

The Dining Room 

This room was originally Admiral Boscawen's bedroom but was converted to its present use by Lord Rendel. The decorative scheme has been added much more recently and was designed by tenant Alec Cobbe.  

Don't miss: a fireplace carving of Admiral Boscawen's dog, Becca, and the virginals belonging to Charles II. 

The Music Room 

The Music Room is an early 20th-century addition to the house by Lord Rendel. It was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with a windowed dome in the ceiling. Concerts played on instruments from the Cobbe Collection are held here.  

Don't miss: Liszt’s upright piano tucked away in the corner and the organ, played by volunteers. 

Digital tours

Hatchlands Park app  

You can now download our app, available for free on iOS from the App Store. Take a tour of the house, enjoy a little family history and find out more about the Cobbe Collection from founder Alec Cobbe.  

Audio guides   

If you’re not able to download the app then you can pick up an audio guide for just £2 from the house entrance. You can hear audio snapshots on each of the rooms and find out about the families that used to live here, as well as information about the Cobbe Collection. The basic guide lasts around 45 minutes.