Gardens

Bateman's was the home of author Rudyard Kipling for 34 years.  Set in acres of charming gardens, the house is 17th century but the interior is definitely early 20th century.  There's a real sense of the man there.

Blickling is a large estate and stately home, with walks, gardens and a splendid house to enjoy.  Much is made of it being Anne Boleyn's childhood home; she is even said to haunt the place, especially on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution. And she may well do so, but there is no visible trace of the house that Anne knew - so don't be fooled.

Blickling is actually recorded in the Domesday Book. Anne Boleyn’s great-grandfather, Geoffrey Boleyn (1406-63), bought the property in 1452. The red-brick Jacobean mansion we see today was built by Henry Hobart (1560 - 1626), sometime after 1616, designed by Robert Lyminge, the builder of Hatfield House.  Great changes were made to the property in the 19th century.  The last owner, Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882 - 1940), an influential politician and diplomat, left the estate to the National Trust.  A particular feature of the house is the wonderful and unique library in the long gallery.

During the Second World War, part of the Blickling Estate became RAF Oulton, a bomber station, with service personnel billeted in Nissen huts in the grounds and officers in the house. itself. The National Trust has set up a museum on the site to commemorates this period in Blickling’s history.

Burghley is a grand 16th century house and estate on the edge of the charming East Midlands town of Stamford. The house was built by Elizabeth I's chief advisor and Lord High Treasurer Sir William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, and is still lived in by his descendents. The house contains an extensive collection of artwork and painted murals, including Verrio's 'Hell Staircase' (seen in 'The Da Vinci Code') and the hall has a magnificent hammerbeam roof. There are extensive gardens, statues and a fine park. Burghley is also famous for its annual Burghley Horse Trials, held in the autumn (best avoid visiting then!).

Calke is a mansion and estate on the site of a 12th century Augustinian abbey. The present Palladian style mansion is a consequence of reconstruction work dating from 1701, built around an Elizabethan house. The estate ultimately came into the hands of the Harpur-Crewe family and was acquired by the National Trust in a state of decay. The Trust has preserved the house pretty much in the condition it was found, packed full of artwork and stuffed animals, with an appearance largely unchanged since the late Victorian period - including the children's' nursery. It is a curious and fascinating time capsule. Outside are gardens, outhouses and extensive grounds, including a nature reserve.

Note: Entry to the house is by timed ticket.

Charleston Farmhouse (18th century?) was the country home of the artists Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) and Duncan Grant (1885-1978), who moved to Charleston in 1916.  Grant was employed at a nearby farm, alongside his friend and lover David Garnett (1892-1981). Both Garnett and Grant were conscientious objectors.  Charleston became a focal point for the group of radical artists, writers and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Set, which included John Maynard Keynes, Virginia Woolf (Vanessa Bell’s sister), E M Forster, Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry.  Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant are buried next to each other in Firle churchyard.

Charleston Farmhouse and garden is open to the public and also hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year, as well as art workshops in a restored barn. The Famous Women Dinner Service, designed by Bell and Grant, is on permanent display.  There is also a shop and a café.