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Inside the Hall, as well as a fine panelled banqueting hall, Regency, Georgian and Victorian rooms chart the tastes of the Hyde Parkers – who have lived here since 1786. A naval family, the house is filled with reminders of the family’s history, including fine nautical paintings and even plunder looted from a Spanish ship in 1762. As well as being one of the earliest country houses in Britain to have central heating, Melford also boasts a family connection with Beatrix Potter, who sketched here on her visits, and the house is home to the original Jemima Puddleduck doll and other memorabilia of her visits. Outside there is a mile long walk open to visitors within the remains of an ancient deer park that forms part of 52 hectares (130 acres) of parkland surrounding the Hall. The gardens are set out in an Edwardian-style and contain many specimen trees.