The double library was in its heyday during the late Victorian period. At this time, it was
used by the 4th Earl of Carnarvon as a "withdrawing" room.
The Earl was an active Tory in Parliament, a member of Disraeli's Cabinet in the 1860s and
1870s. Here he could discuss politics with friends or retire in peace.
There are over 5,650 books, the earliest dating from the 16th century.