Library

The Library, known in the 18th century as the Saloon, is dominated by Sir Charles Barry's Victorian mahogany bookcases with their brass trim and marble chair rail. Original to the House is Robert Adam's spectacular ceiling, together with his chimneypieces and plaster overmantels with their round, sculptured reliefs. JMW Turner’s two large landscape paintings flanking the fireplaces date from 1797 and were commissioned specifically for this room. Since Barry's transformation of the building, this has been the central living room of the House.

The Library contains a variety of objects supplied by the Royal Clockmaker, Benjamin Vulliamy. The ormolu-mounted marble-cased clock was made about 1796. The bronze tazza was supplied in 1804. The black marble and ormolu-mounted lamps are signed 'Vulliamy London AD 1811'.

There are four decorative landscapes by Nicholas Dall which were supplied for this room during the 18th century. In 1798 JMW Turner was commissioned to paint two pictures of Plompton Rocks to replace existing doorways, the only oils by him in the House.