Keira's costumes on show at stately home

Stunning outfits worn by Hollywood star Keira Knightley in the film The Duchess have gone on show at a stately home on the Shropshire border.

Ellie Jones prepares 'The Wedding Dress' which was worn by actress Kiera Knightley

Berrington Hall, near Leominster, is staging the show and there is more to come in the autumn when costumes from the BBC hit Pride and Prejudice will take centre stage.

Both exhibitions are part of a celebration of Georgian fashions, called A Thousand Fancies.

The dresses worn by Knightley in the 2008 film The Duchess are on show until the end of June.

Tina Salter, operations manager for Berrington Hall, said: "We are thrilled to have the costumes from The Duchess at Berrington. People have seen them on the big screen and now they can see them here in the flesh. Seeing them in this setting brings the dresses to life and they are only here for a limited time."

Keira Knightley as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire

Costumes from the small screen adaptation of Jane Austin's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, which starred Colin Firth, will be at the hall from August to the end of October.

Berrington, owned by the National Trust, also cares for the Charles Paget Wade costume collection on behalf of fellow National Trust property Snowshill Manor.

Ellie Jones, conservation and engagement manager at the hall, said: "Charles Paget Wade spoke of the power of objects to 'inspire a thousand fancies'. We hope that our series of costume exhibitions set against the backdrop of Berrington's beautiful Georgian interiors will inspire a thousand fancies in everyone who visits."

She added: "It is a really exciting year for us and we hope visitors will come to see the wonderful displays of Georgian grandeur we are lucky to be able to display."

An exhibition entitled Hats and Bonnets is running until the end of April and then Wearing the Garden will be on show from May until the end of June.

Big Bottoms and Small Waists will be the show from July until the end of August, 18th Century Country Casuals' will run from September until end of October and Classical Cool will round the year off from November until December 23. There will also be the chance for families to dress up in Georgian style. Other highlights include Georgian cookery demonstrations with TV personality Annie Gray on May 25 and 26.

For details of all the exhibitions visit http://historicalcostume.wordpress.com