HAMPSHIRE Ambassadors discovered the impressive art collection and 7,000 acres of glorious meadows, woods and parkland that await visitors to private venue Somerley House, near Ringwood, on the latest leg of their visit programme.
The county council's executive member for economic development, Councillor Michael Woodhall, joined around 50 Hampshire Ambassadors at the invitation of the Earl of Normanton, as part of their county-wide initiative to promote Hampshire businesses, meeting venues and tourism.
Somerley is the privately owned stately home of the Sixth Earl of Normanton and his family. It is not open directly to the public but is available for a wide range of corporate and private events.
Designed by Samuel Wyatt in the mid 1700s, Somerley was bought by the Second Earl of Normanton in 1825 and has remained in the family ever since.
The stunning picture gallery contains works by Canaletto, Murillo, Etty and Gainsborough and also houses one of the largest collections of paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds in private hands.
There are around 800 ambassadors in the county, all dedicated to promoting Hampshire as the place for business investment, tourism and conferences.
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