Ragley is the family home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford and has been the seat of the Conway Seymour family since 1680. The house was not completed until the middle of the 18th century, when it was finally decorated and fully furnished.

When my father, Hugh Edward Conway Seymour, The 8th Marquess of Hertford inherited Ragley in 1940, most of the house was being used as a hospital, with about a quarter of it reserved for family use.

My parents moved into Ragley immediately after their marriage in 1956. The restoration of the house and gardens, the running of the farms and woods on the Estate kept them busy until November 1991, when Ragley was handed over to me.

Unlike my parents, who found Ragley in danger of becoming a ruin, my wife and I found the house ready to live in due to the 35 years of restoration, dedication and commitment shared by them.

Henry Jocelyn Seymour,
The 9th Marquess of Hertford

Lord and Lady Hertford with their family on the front steps at Ragley

The Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms of the
Marquess of Hertford

The 8th Marquess of Hertford opened the house to the public in 1958 ...

Hugh Edward Conway Seymour, The 8th Marquess of Hertford raising the flag
“… When opening the house to the public in 1958 - and since then, we have been greatly encouraged, not only
by the financial
support from over two million visitors, which does indeed help, but also the appreciation expressed by so many people…
were it not for Inheritance Tax we would have great confidence in Ragley’s future.” -

Hugh Edward Conway Seymour Raising the flag

Hugh Edward Conway Seymour,
The 8th Marquess of Hertford

The Hertford Family on the Steps of the West Terrace

Lord and Lady Hertford
with their family

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