Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, has launched a £2m new education and visitor centre called the Brewhouse.

Officially opened by minister for culture David Lammy, the Brewhouse offers teaching facilities alongside an audio-visual introduction to the history of the Grade I listed house, its collections and the estate.

Visitors will also be able to take part in a variety of hands-on, creative activities including handling and examining historic artefacts and objects.

The visitor centre was part funded by a grant of more than £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Work on the attraction was overseen by The Burghley House Preservation Trust, Davis Langdon LLP and Richard Griffiths Architects as well as a consultancy team including exhibition designers Real Studios.

Burghley House was designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, one of England’s most famous landscape gardeners. The property originally served as a slaughterhouse, brewhouse and bakehouse for the Burghley estate. More recently, the house has been used as a location for films such as Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code. Details: www.burghleyhouse.co.uk

Culture minister David Lammy with children of North Luffenham primary school in Tudor costume