WELBECK ABBEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 100, 3 June 1914, Page 5

WELBECK ABBEY.

VAST UNDERGROUND FAIRYLAND.

LONDON, April IS

The great social event of the week took place at Welbeck Abbey, where the Duke and Duchess of Portland entertained 1000 guests to celebrate the coining of age of their eldest son and heir, the Marquis of Titehfield. Welbeck Abbey with its vast underground apartments is one of the wonders of England. The fifth duke had & passion for privacy, and from the time of his succession to the title to his death he spent on the abbey.

On the night of a ball the vast subterranean galleries afe like fairyland, notably the subterranean picture gallery, 160 by 64 feet, lighted by twelve lluge glass chandeliers, which show the priceless old masters which cover the •walls.

iVom the entrance to the park there is a broad underground drive of a mile arid a half to the abbey, whence tunnels run in all directions for a total length of 'eleven miles. The huge underground chambers include a riding school, where Joseph Chamberlain once addressed an audience of 5000 persons. There is also a 4 ftan gallop" of a quarter of a mile, which is said to be the finest in-door exercise ground for horses in the world. Underground also is a "rose corridor, '' 150 yards long, which is arranged as a "sitting out" room. All the corridors are hung with tapestries.: The underground apartments which are tisiially used as storerooms are richly decorated and well heated, and can be

used as smoking rooms. , There are three underground rooms adjoining the picture gallery, where dancing is usually held, but they can be converted into supper rooms, and 400 guests can sit down at once.