Stately Homes in England
English country houses and stately homes gazetteer. History, highlights, contact information, and getting there.

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These are only some of the wonderful country houses you can visit in England and Wales. I'll be adding more as time and my three-fingered typing style permits. You can take it as a given that most Country Houses, often known as Stately Homes, have extensive collections of art, furniture, and paintings. Those that are exceptional or have works of particular interest have been noted.

North Americans please take note : Many of these houses are only open afternoons. Why? Often because they are still family homes, or, as a means to preserve the sensitive contents from too much traffic and exposure to light. If a favorite house of yours has been omitted, it was probably because it had restricted opening hours; I have selected those houses which are open more frequently, to minimize the possibility that you will be disappointed. For optimal peace of mind, please phone or check with a local tourist information centre.

Exmouth, Devon Location map A La Ronde An unusual 16 sided house built by two cousins, ane and Mary Parminter, in 1796. The cousins were inspired by a grand tour to the continent, and created this striking houe looking out over the Exe estuary. The interios contain mementoes collected by the two women, and feature unusual decor, including a 'featherfrieze', and a gallery lined with shells. The latter chamber is so fragile that visitors must view it on closed-circuit television. Summer Lane, Exmouth, Devon, England, EX8 5BD Location: 2 m N Exmouth, on A376 Website: A La Ronde Email: alaronde@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01395 265 514 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kendal, Cumbria Location map Abbot Hall Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal. Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA9 5AL Location: off A591 Website: Abbot Hall Email: info@abbothall.org.uk Phone: 01539 722 464 Fax: 01539 722 494 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Adlington, Cheshire Location map Adlington Hall 14th century house surrounded by landscaped gardens. The hall and gardens are open by prior arrangement to groups. Mill Lane, Macclesfield, Adlington, Cheshire, England, SK10 4LF Location: to the W of the A523 in Adlington, 6 miles N of Macclesfield Website: Adlington Hall Email: enquiries@adlingtonhall.com Phone: 01625 827 595 Fax: 01625 820 797 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Alford, Lincolnshire Location map Alford Manor House Museum Beautiful thatched manor built in the 17th century contains the obligatory displays on local history, but also recreations of period scenes, including a cobbler's shop, a chemist's, and a Victorian veterinarian's premises. West Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, England, LN13 9DJ Location: on the A1111 Website: Alford Manor House Museum Email: info@alfordmanorhouse.co.uk Phone: 01507 463073 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Alfriston, East Sussex Location map Alfriston Clergy House The first property ever acquired by the National Trust, this thatched and half-timbered house dates from the 14th century, and has been altered little since then. Medieval hall and cottage garden. The Tye, Polegate, Alfriston, East Sussex, England, BN26 5TL Location: off B2108 Website: Alfriston Clergy House Email: alfriston@nationaltrust.org.uk Fax: 01323 871 318 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Northampton, Northamptonshire Location map Althorp Althorp is famous as the home of the Earl and Countess Spencer, and the ancestral home of Diana, Princess of Wales. There has been a house at Althorp since the beginning of the 16th century when Sir John Spence bought land here. The house that Sir John built provides the essential shape of the current building; an enclosed courtyard with a projecting wing along the south side. Althorp is set in magnificent grounds, covering 450 acres of parkland. Althorp, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, NN7 4HQ Website: Althorp Email: mail@althorp.com Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lode, Cambridgeshire Location map Anglesey Abbey 20th century mansion built amid large gardens and the ruins of a medieval priory. The Abbey houses an eclectic art collection, including many modern works. Gardens and arboretum. Quy Road, Cambridge, Lode, Cambridgeshire, England, CB5 9EJ Location: 6 m N Cambridge on B1102 Website: Anglesey Abbey Email: angleseyabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01223 810080 Fax: 01223 810088 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Torpoint, Cornwall Location map Antony House 18th century house overlooking the Lynber River, home of the Carew family since the 15th century. Huge double hall, oak panelled rooms. Blessedly not over-furnished. Among the portraits is that of Rachel Carew, inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel. Torpoint, Cornwall, England, PL11 2QA5 Location: 5 m W Plymouth, off A374 Website: Antony House Email: antony@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01752 812 191 Fax: 01752 815 724 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Wroxall, Isle of Wight Location map Appuldurcombe House 18th century Baroque house approached via a long private drive. Appuldurcombe sits in gardens designed by Capability Brown. The house is sadly little more than a shell, but you can admire the wonderful architecture and enjoy the 11 acre gardens. Displays tell the story of the house, and there is a falconry centre on the site. Appuldurcombe Farm, Wroxall, Isle of Wight, England, PO38 3EW Location: 0.5 m W Wroxall, off B3327 Website: Appuldurcombe House Email: enquiries@appuldurcombe.co.uk Phone: 01983 852 484 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

London, Greater London Location map Apsley House The London home of the Duke of Wellington sits opposite the entrance to Hyde Park. Commonly known as No.1 London, Apsley House was built between 1781-1787 by neo-classical architect Robert Adam. The prominent location of the house at the entrance to Hyde Park, and just outside the toll gates at Knightsbridge, led to the popular moniker "#1 London", though there is no such official designation. Hyde Park Corner, London, Greater London, England, W1J 7NT Location: north side of Hyde Park Corner Website: Apsley House Phone: 020 7499 5676 Fax: 020 7493 6576 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ardington, Oxfordshire Location map Ardington House A pleasing, symmetrical house built by the Strong brothers in 1720. Ardington is Baroque in style, set in quiet lawns and terraced gardens. The most prominent interior feature is the Imperial Staircase, one of the finest in the country. This style of staircase begins as two separate flights that curve around to join each other halfway to the next floor. There is a variety of period furniture and family portraits. Wantage, Ardington, Oxfordshire, England, OX12 8QA Location: just off A34 between M4 and M40 Website: Ardington House Email: info@ardingtonhouse.com Phone: 01235 821 566 Fax: 01235 821 151 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Northwich, Cheshire Location map Arley Hall Arley Hall was begun in 1469, and it has been owned by the same family ever since. The current hall is a product of the 19th century; it was built by George Latham for Rowland Egerton-Warburton beginning in 1832. The library in particular is a good example of Victorian Gothic style, with richly coloured stained glass windows flooding the large wooden bookcases with light. Napoleon III lived at Arley briefly, and his bedroom is preserved upstairs, with watercolours by Piers Egerton-Warburton decorating the walls. Near the house stands a mock-Gothic chapel designed by Anthony Salvin. Northwich, Cheshire, England, CW9 6NA Location: 6 miles from Knutsford and Northwich, off the M6 and M56 Website: Arley Hall Email: enquiries@arleyhallandgardens.com Phone: 01565 777 353 Fax: 01565 777 465 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Arlington, Devon Location map Arlington Court Regency house set in lovely parks and gardens. The interiors feature a fabulous collection of model ships amassed by the eccentric former owner Rosalie Chichester. Arlington hosts a collection of horse drawn carriages, and visitors can enjoy a ride around the estate in a carriage (summer only). Enjoyable woodland and garden walks are dotted with modern sculptures. Barnstaple, Arlington, Devon, England, EX31 4LP Location: 7 m NE Barnstaple, on A39 Website: Arlington Court Email: arlingtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01271 850 296 Fax: 01271 851 108 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire Location map Ascott Jacobean home of the fabulously wealthy de Rothschild banking family. The house is set in enjoyable gardens, composed of an unusual mix of formal Victorian and 20th century informal plantings, a mix of trees, shrubs, and informal walks. Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire, England, LU7 0PS Location: 2 m SW Leighton Buzzard, on A418 Website: Ascott Email: info@ascottestate.co.uk Phone: 01296 688 242 Fax: 01296 681 904 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lambourn, Berkshire Location map Ashdown House An extraordinary Dutch-style 17th-century house perched on the Berkshire Downs and famous for its association with Elizabeth of Bohemia ('The Winter Queen'), Charles I's sister, to whom the house was consecrated. The interior has an impressive great staircase rising from hall to attic and important paintings contemporary with the house. Spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and beautiful walks in the neighbouring Ashdown Woods. Newbury, Lambourn, Berkshire, England, RG17 8RE Location: 3 m N Lambourn, on B4000 Website: Ashdown House Email: ashdownhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01793 762 209 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Athelhampton, Dorset Location map Athelhampton House Tudor house originated by Sir William Martyn, Lord Mayor of London, in 1480's. Later additions from Victorian era. Panelled Tudor rooms, great hall still with its half-timbered roof, original Tudor windows. Wonderful old wooden furniture collection. Dorchester, Athelhampton, Dorset, England, DT2 7LG Location: 5.5 m NE Dorchester, on A35 Website: Athelhampton House Email: enquiry@athelhampton.co.uk Phone: 01305 848 363 Fax: 01305 848 135 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Aubourn, Lincolnshire Location map Aubourn Hall Stuart brick house standing above a canal. Begun about 1628 as a series of small wood-panelled rooms. Wonderful wooden staircase, Georgian furniture. Limited opening. Aubourn, Lincolnshire, England, LN5 9DZ Location: 7 m S Lincoln, off A46 Email: cnevile@ukonline.co.uk Phone: 01522 788 717 Fax: 01522 788 199 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Audley End, Essex Location map Audley End Jacobean survival of a huge mansion built by Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, in 1605. Later rooms by Robert Adam, who was also responsible for the ornamental garden buildings. Surrounding park and gardens. Saffron Walden, Audley End, Essex, England, CB11 4JF Location: 1 m W Saffron Walden, on B1383 Website: Audley End Phone: 01799 522 399 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Marlborough, Wiltshire Location map Avebury Manor and Garden The Tudor manor house at Avebury is a monument to the architectural and cultural changes of the centuries. On the site of earlier monastic buildings, the present 16th century buildings have been much altered over the years. Private tenants open the grounds and part of the house. Check the National Trust website for opening dates and timing of tours. Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, SN8 1RF Location: 6 m W of Marleborough on the A4361 and B4003 Website: Avebury Manor and Garden Email: avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01672 539 250 Fax: 01672 538 038 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Itchen Abbas, Hampshire Location map Avington Park A historic Georgian mansion beside the River Itchen. Once the property of Winchester Cathedral, Avington was granted by Henry VIII to Edmund Clerke, who built what is now the orangery. Avington was later owned by George Brydges, Groom of the Bedchamber under Charles II. Brydges enlarged the house to create quarters for Charles and his mistress, Nell Gwynn. Later owners, including the Dukes of Buckingham, added greatly to the interior and sumptuous gardens. Winchester, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, England, S021 1DB Location: 4 m NE Winchester off B3047 Website: Avington Park Email: enquiries@avingtonpark.co.uk Phone: 01962 779 260 Fax: 1962 779 202 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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Recommended Resources

Hudsons Historic Houses and Gardens - HUDSONS is the definitive annual guide to heritage property in Britain. As the British Tourist Authority called Hudson's the "bible" of the stately house visitor to Britain. The website provides a gateway to these properties and also indicates which are available not just for visiting but also for special events, weddings,and accommodation. It incorporates all categories of ownership be it National Trust, private or public. Country House Database - 7000 country houses in the UK and Ireland profiled

UK Ordnance Survey Maps Every OS map including Landranger, Explorer, and new Right to Roam. Free UK post and Up to 36% Discount on OS Maps!

Great British Heritage Pass Free entry to almost 600 top UK attractions Visit castles, gardens, abbeys, stately homes, Roman forts, museums, mills, historic buildings, lighthouses, townhouses, museums, windmills, nature reserves, stone circles, medieval tithe barns, industrial heritage sites, dovecotes, battlefields, tunnels, cathedrals, bridges, and royal palaces. Whew! All with one pass. The Great British Heritage Pass (overseas visitors only)