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
St Giles House in Dorset, the ancestral seat of the Earls of Shaftesbury, has been announced as the winner of the 2015 Historic Houses Association (HHA) & Sotheby’s Restoration Award. The house, which has remained in the family since the 14th-century, had been left abandoned and derelict for over 50 years.… more
One of our country’s major artworks – Canaletto’s A Grand Regatta on the Grand Canal, painted circa 1740,is on display at Compton Verney. It is a fascinating pastiche of 18th century life among the grandees who lived in Venice and quite mesmerising…A unique opportunity to see it in this beautiful… more
This year’s nostalgic Heritage Rally, which will take place on Sunday 7 June, is all about Classic Cars and Steam Trains. The Rally, which is now sponsored by Wroxall Abbey Hotel & Estate, is now in its third year and is organised by the Heritage Motor Centre for vehicles aged 20… more
Hughenden offers a vivid insight into the charismatic personality and colourful private life of the most unlikely Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. You can browse among an extraordinary collection of personal memorabilia, and there’s even a Victorian playroom for younger visitors. A secret… more
West Wycombe Park West Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 3AJ T: + 44(0)149 755571/513569 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/west-wycombe-park-village-and-hill/ E: [email protected] West Wycombe Park is one of the most theatrical and Italianate of all English country houses and the Dashwood family home for over 300 years. Set in 45 acres of landscaped park, the house as… more
Chenies Manor, near Amersham is a Tudor manor house, built around 1460. Henry VIII is said to have been entertained here. Queen Elizabeth I visited several times, and in July 1570, according to an entry in a wardrobe book, she lost some small gold fastenings called aglets from her dress.… more
Designed by Robert Hooke in 1680, one of the earliest of England’s great Palladian houses, with a massive portico added by Wyatt in 1780. The elaborately plastered Great Hall by James Gibb in 1750 is one of the finest Baroque interiors. Good French and English furniture and paintings – also… more
Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A true masterpiece of 18th Century Baroque architecture, Blenheim Palace delivers an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Discover the beauty of this World Heritage Site amongst over 2000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown parkland and Formal Gardens. Ride the miniature train to The… more
Moated medieval manor house of 14th century, enlarged in the 16th, and home of the Fiennes family, Lords Saye and Sele. Many medieval rooms survive, including the chapel and a whole suite of remarkably intact Elizabethan interiors. James I slept in the King’s’ chamber, but the castle escaped damage in… more
