Explore 20 of the best stately homes in England, including Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard, Waddesdon Manor, Hardwick Hall, Petworth, Knole and Osborne
Best stately homes in England for history, gardens and art
Historic Houses
Stately homes where the architecture is reason enough to go
Some stately homes are really about gardens. Some are about family history. Some are about the distinctly British habit of building something enormous simply because …
Buckinghamshire is where England quietly perfects the countryside weekend
Just west of London, Buckinghamshire has long been the place where England goes to admire its own good taste. Rolling hills, picture-perfect villages, stately homes, …
Bedfordshire, a gentle county with deer, dukes and the odd lion
Bedfordshire is one of those counties that often sneaks under the radar. Wedged between the busier worlds of London, Cambridge and the Midlands, it sits …
Exploring Oxfordshire – spires, villages and the art of looking clever
Oxfordshire has long perfected the art of looking effortlessly clever. This is where honey-coloured buildings meet ancient libraries, punts drift under low bridges, and grand …
Northamptonshire, grand houses, quiet towns and one very loud racetrack
Right in the centre of England, Northamptonshire often slips under the radar, happily letting its neighbours attract most of the attention. This suits Northamptonshire perfectly …
Jane Austen, a quiet revolutionary of English literature
Few writers have managed to capture the delicate dance of human manners, love, and ambition with the wit and precision of Jane Austen. Living a …
Gloucestershire, where England looks like a landscape painting
If you were asked to draw a picture of classic England, there is a good chance you would accidentally end up sketching Gloucestershire. Rolling hills, …
Hertfordshire is where England politely meets the edge of London
Hertfordshire sits just north of London, close enough to feel the capital’s pull, but far enough away to maintain a distinctly English calm. It is …
Nottinghamshire is where England gets a bit legendary
Nottinghamshire is one of those counties where history and myth have become thoroughly tangled. This is Robin Hood country, where men in green tights still …