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Castle Howard is an 18th century Baroque stately home in North Yorkshire, one of the grandest and most over the top in England, with 145 rooms and set in 1,000 acres of gardens and parkland. It is owned by the Howard family, and has been for over 300 years. The house was started for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle in c1699, designed by John Vanbrugh (his first commission) and Nicholas Hawksmoor, and took about 100 years to complete. It is built on the site of a ruined medieval castle and the original estate covered 13,000 acres - which included several villages. In addition to being able to tour the house and gardens, visitors can enjoy various exhibitions, and activities take place frequently.
Castle Howard was famously used for the 1980s TV series and 2008 film, Brideshead Revisited.
Chatsworth is one of Britain's great stately houses. It is the palatial home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, whose family, the Cavendishes, has owned the 35,000 acre estate since the 16th century, when the first house was built. The house is famous for its magnificent Baroque interiors and works of art from ancient Egypt, Rome, the great masters - and more modern artists. Outside, there are acres of parkland and lovely gardens to explore, including a maze to get lost in. It is famous for its cascade, a large water feature with water tumbling down a long series of steps - which dates from the 17th century. It is also famous for its Emperor Fountain. Events are held throughout the year, including concerts and outdoor theatre.
Drumlanrig Castle is the Dumfriesshire seat of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, one of Scotland’s finest examples of 17th-century Renaissance architecture and more like a French château than what you might of as a castle. It comes with a history. Drumlanrig was a Douglas stronghold, built on land given to the Douglas’ by Robert Bruce in the 14th century. The Douglas Clan motto is ‘Forward Braveheart!’ and the winged hearts of the family crest are everywhere - carved into stone, decorating ceilings, carpets, gutters – even garden beds.
The Castle has 120 rooms, 17 turrets and four towers and is renowned for its art collection, the Buccleuch Collection, which includes works by Gainsborough, Rembrandt and Holbein. It houses tapestries allegedly worked by Mary, Queen of Scots and, of course, Bonny Prince Charlie once stayed the night there.
Outside is a 90,000-acre estate, with gardens, miles of beautiful walks, bike trails, fishing and an adventure playground.
Image credit: Historic Houses
The seat of the Duncombe family since 1711, when the house was built by Thomas Duncombe (born Thomas Browne). His descendent, Charles Duncombe, was created Lord Feversham in 1826. The house is not open to the public, but 450 acres of parkland, gardens and nature reserve are. There is also a bird of prey centre on site.
Dunrobin is the largest great house in the northern Highlands and has been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for more than 700 years. Though dating from the 13th century, the present house is largely Victorian, built in Scottish baronial style with a nod to a French chateau. It has been used as a hospital and school, but is still the Sutherland family and clan home. There are also extensive gardens and grounds.
Haddon Hall dates from the 11th century, was formerly the seat of the Duke of Rutland, and is currently the private home of Lord and Lady Edward Manners. The Manners acquired Haddon through marriage and can therefore claim to have owned it for its entire existence; the hall is one of the oldest houses in the country.
From the 1700s, the family preferred their main seat at Belvoir Castle, so Haddon was empty for two centuries. Unaltered by Georgians or Victorians, venturing into Haddon Hall has been described as like stepping back in time. The Medieval Banqueting Hall remains furnished with its original Dais table, behind which hangs a tapestry gifted to the family by visiting Henry VIII. The Parlour boasts its glorious Tudor painted ceiling of Tudor roses and marvellous heraldic panelling. Exquisite and rare 15th century frescos adorn the walls of the Medieval Chapel. In contrast to the Tudor and Medieval Rooms below, the light and airy first floor Elizabethan rooms culminate in the spectacular 110ft Robert Smythson designed Long Gallery; reputed to be one of the most beautiful rooms in England.
Outside, the terraced Elizabethan Walled Gardens cascade down to the River Wye and provide spectacular views over ancient parkland to the Peak District beyond.
Haddon is a favourite film location, featuring in no fewer than three different film adaptations of Jane Eyre, as well as Mary Queen of Scots, The Other Boleyn Girl, Pride & Prejudice and various documentaries.
Image credit: Historic Houses
The origins of Hampton court are medieval. However, it is famously the palace created by Thomas Wolsey, cardinal, Lord Chancellor of England and friend of King Henry VIII. The palace was 'acquired' by Henry and is often associated with him and Anne Boleyn (who is reputed to haunt it). It has been a royal palace ever since and was extensively remodelled by Sir Christopher Wren on behalf of William and Mary in the late 17th century. Hampton Court is a highly popular visitor attraction which is also famous for its annual flower show.
Hardwick Hall is one of the most impressive Elizabethan Houses in Britain, built in the late 1590s for the remarkable Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury (c1527-1608). Her initials, ES, are proudly on the turrets. It was designed by the architect Robert Smythson to replace Hardwick Old Hall, which stands next door, and is renowned for its windows – ‘more glass than wall’, so it is said. Set in attractive gardens, inside is what the National Trust claims to be the “finest collections of Elizabethan tapestries and embroideries in Europe.” Much of the furniture and other house contents are listed on an inventory that dates from 1601.
Hardwick Old Hall in next door, in ruins and as of 2021 closed. Although just a stone's throw from the back garden, the National Trust may insist you walk right round the grounds to get to it, rather than through a convenient gateway.
Nr Chesterfield
Home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Highclere is a predominantly Victorian mansion set in extensive grounds in Hampshire - though, confusingly, the postal address is for neighbouring Berkshire. The house was redeveloped in Jacobean style by Sir Charles Barry, the architect responsible for the Houses of Parliament, from an earlier Georgian mansion which, itself, replaced a Tudor House. Before that, a medieval palace stood on the site, property of the Bishops of Winchester. The property has earlier roots, however, and there is an Iron Age fort in the grounds.
The 5th Earl sponsored the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922.
Highclere was used as the location for the TV series Jeeves and Wooster and, more recently, played the title role in the highly successful Downton Abbey.
NOTE: Highclere has limited opening - check details before making a special trip.
Newbury
Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and one of the must-see visitor attractions on the West Coast of Scotland. With a spectacular location on Loch Fyne, there has been an Inveraray Castle for around 500 years. The present castle was begun by the 3rd Duke in 1746 and took 43 years to build. Far from a forbidding fortress, Inveraray is a palatial home displaying the clan chief’s wealth and influence – though it does house an alarmingly large collection of armaments. The Duke and Duchess and their family live on two floors of the castle; the remainder is open to visitors, along with gardens and grounds – which include trees planted by, among others, David Livingstone, William Gladstone and Queen Victoria. Inveraray Castle featured as ‘Duneagle Castle’ in the TV programme ‘Downton Abbey’.
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.