aerial photograph of Kirby Hall Northamptonshire England UK. Constructed over a number of decades starting in 1570 this Elizabethan country house now lies largely in ruins. It was built by one of Elizebeth 1st´s favorites, Christopher Hatton, who was Lord Chancellor of England and had financed the voyages of Sir Francis Drake. The house was passed from generation to generation of Hattons but each generation became poorer the house gradually fell into ruin. The building is in the care of English Heritage and Gardens were recently restored.