Tabley House Collection

Tabley House is the finest Palladian mansion in the North West of England. It is grade I listed and was designed by John Carr of York for Lord de Tabley. It was completed in 1767. Sir Peter's son, Sir John Fleming Leicester, Bt., later Lord Tabley, was the first great patron and collector of British paintings. He assembled a splendid collection at Tabley and in his London house during the first decade of the 19th century, ultimately with the intention of establishing a National Gallery of British Art. JMW Turner, Henry Thompson and James Ward were among the many painters who stayed at Tabley.

Today important works by those artists can be seen in the rooms for which they were created, together with fine paintings by Dobson, Lely, Reynolds, Cotes, Northcote, Callcott, Fuseli, Lawrence and Martin. The famous Gallery, created for Sir John before 1809 has been restored (1988-90) to its appearance in the early 1840s when it was remodelled by the second Lord Tabley with sumptuous, red flock wallpaper. The collection of paintings has been rehung in the restored State Rooms of the main floor, with furniture by Chippendale, Bullock and Gillow of Lancaster and memorabilia acquired by the family.

St Peter's Chapel, originally built on an island in Tabley Moat in 1678, was moved in 1927 (due to brine pumping) and re-erected on its present site adjacent to the House.

The Estate, House and Collection are owned by the University of Manchester. The collection is housed in the principal rooms on the first floor. The rest of the house comprises Cygnet Health Care's Nursing and Retirement Home in a unique dual Occupancy.