Famous literary family, the Sitwells, put contents of Weston Hall up for auction

The contents of Weston Hal1, home of the famous Sitwell library family for more than 300 years, are to be offered at auction later this year. The auction, being run by Dreweatts, which will take place on November 16th, 2021 comprises art works, furniture, ceramics, silver, militaria and a huge … more

Waddesdon Manor unveiled as the fairytale setting for Cinderella

The release of a new trailer this month reveals Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild House & Gardens in Buckinghamshire, England, will play a starring role in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video adaptation of Cinderella, streaming September 3rd. Inspired by the châteaux of the Loire Valley, Waddesdon was built in a French-renaissance … more

Soak up the atmosphere at Dartington’s annual music extravaganza

Every year in one of the most beautiful parts of rural South Devon on the banks of the River Dart a wonderful extravaganza of music (and other arts) takes place. Dartington International Summer School & Festival announces 2019 Concert Programme curated by Joanna MacGregor 27 July – 24 August 2019 … more

Madam Pompadour in the Frame at Waddesdon Manor

This exhibition shines a spotlight on how technology is being used to enhance our understanding of art history, enabling masterpieces which have been victims of circumstance or history to be seen as they were once intended. François Boucher’s famous portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) is today one of the most prized … more

Blenheim Palace Food Festival – Bank Holiday Weekend

The Blenheim Food Festival is a gastronomic weekend packed with engaging talks and demonstrations from celebrity and local chefs, as well as a multitude of family-friendly activities within the stunning grounds of the palace. This year’s superb line-up includes Raymond Blanc OBE (Mon 27th), Jean-Christophe Novelli (Sun 26th) and Celebrity … more

Champion the bee – how you can save this amazing creature

Nature-lovers are being urged by environmentalists, bee scientists and wildlife gardening experts to help the nation’s under-threat bees by creating pollinator-friendly gardens, schools and neighbourhoods, ahead of this year’s Great British Bee Count (19 May-30 June 2017). Now in its fourth year, the Great British Bee Count inspires members of … more

National Trust Membership – Xmas Gift

Give a National Trust Membership – an Xmas gifts that gives spiritual and emotional nourishment! National Trust membership costs only £5.25 a month (single membership)£9.92 for a family – but you help conserve the beauty and wealth of our nation as well as have the opportunity to enjoy some of our most … more

Compton Verney wins top restoration accolade

Compton Verney has won the highly prestigious Brown Tercentenary Award at the annual Georgian Group Awards in London. The Georgian Group is an English and Welsh conservation organisationcreated to campaign for the preservation of historic buildings and planned landscapes of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Compton Verney is a … more

Stowe House

Stowe House Stowe In the 18th century, the powerful Temple-Grenville family chose to create an idyllic landscape filled with temples. Amidst these enchanting gardens, they built the most lavish temple of all, Stowe House, famous during its 18th-century heyday as an important artistic masterpiece. In 1922, in the face of … more

Paris House – Bedfordshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant – review

Bedfordshire’s only Michelin star restaurant is tucked away in a corner of England’s finest countryside, within beautiful piece of parkland on the Woburn Abbey estate. It’s barely sign-posted on the A4012 so I miss the entrance and end up a few miles down the road in quaint Woburn village. I … more