Hatchlands is now cared for by the National Trust. Knoles interiors are full of historic art and furnishings. Photo: cktravels.com, Shutterstock. You can find more information online. From Tudor dwellings to Modernist masterpieces, London is home to an extraordinary variety of remarkable interiors - and lots of them are open to the public. Polesden Lacey. It is placed just off Green Park in St Jamess and was built for an ancestor of Princess Diana, John (first Earl Spencer). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dating back to the 15th-century, this early Tudor manor house has changed little over its 600-year lifetime. More Copyright A Lady in London 2007 - 2023. Nearest rail and underground station: Chalfont & Latimer. Opening times: Tues-Sat, 9am-4:30pm, Sun-Mon, 10am-4:30pm Theres a lot to cherish here, so ensure to have at least half a day to discover all parts. Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4:15pm I hope youve enjoyed this virtual tour of the finest stately homes in London. And speaking of the gardens, they were the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement and inspired New Yorks Central Park. Nearest station: Victoria. Lady's 9 Stately Homes in London You Should Visit Nothing much of note ever happened here, even though they try and sex it up with dubious connections to the gunpowder plot. Nature lovers, head along to Gilbert White's House and Gardenin Selborne, writer of thebook The Natural History of Selborne, it isthefourth most published book in the English language or Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum and see where this literary great was born. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years, and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. Wherever, however, and whenever you go, I hope you enjoy visiting them. Out near Oxford, Blenheim Palace is among the top stately homes near London for good reason. There are . Thereare so manyesteemed historic houses throughoutEngland and some amazing examples that the South East can lay claim to. This unique seventeenth century treasure trove is the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, who together transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England. Nearest stations: Osterley (Piccadilly Line). The stair is decorated with heraldic devices and remarkable grisailles wall paintings. The interior is equally lavish. In 1456 Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury, purchased the 12th-century estate of Knole, near Sevenoaks in Kent from Lord Saye and Sele. If you are looking for some great historic places to indulge in with your friends on a day trip, dont miss these best stately homes near London. Syon House boasts a spectacular wealth of art and grand classical interior design. The oldest surviving English grand piano calls Apsley House its home, too. The rooms feature sumptuous jewel-tone wall coverings, historic paintings, and views over the gardens below. But there's an incredible old-school charm about Eastbury, with hundreds of objects, illustrations and infofacts packed together like too many blackbirds baked into a Tudor pie. These buildings span centuries and architectural styles, but theyre all grand in their own way. Let us know here. But even more impressive than the art is the collection of fine furniture. Thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in Kent, it was built around 1525 and is believed to be the home of a wealthy yeoman farmer. Yours may differ, and we'd love to hear it below. Home to 160 acres of parkland, shoreline & formal estate gardens, Upton Country Park offers free admission, 7 days a week, all year round, however, opening times do vary on season. Apsley House is designed by famous architect Robert Adam and is most known for its grand collection of artworks. Best 20 historic sites, houses and palaces in London The building was created in 1729 as a bold architectural experiment by the Earl of Burlington, who sought somewhere impressive to show off his artwork. Whether youre a resident of London or even a visitor, many amazing stately homes within easy reach can make a memorable day trip for you. Nearest station: Hampstead Heath Underground or Hampstead Heath Overground. I hope you enjoy visiting the others! Look for the square piano owned by Queen. I recently wrote about stately homes in London, and today I want to broaden my scope. Opening times: House Sat-Sun, 12-5:30pm | Garden Mon-Sun 10am-5:30pm built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld when they lived at Eltham in the thirties. The decor at Leighton House, former home of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, is fabulously full-on. All Rights Reserved, What's On in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Celebrating Events Throughout The South East. The historic stately homes of England are one its greatest treasures. He is depicted wearing his sash of office as Lord Treasurer, with a large key hanging from the sash. As one of the most beautiful English Heritage sites in London, Chiswick House has stunning features. Horace Walpole, son of British Prime Minister Robert Walpole, had Strawberry Hill House built in southwest London. Theyre hidden around the city, from the heart of the capital to the outskirts, and theyre worth discovering. Lady Binning was the prior owner of the place and left behind so beautiful furniture, paintings, and a stunning collection of 18th-century porcelain. Others require some imagination. The most famous garden feature is the yew maze. This Gothic Revival beauty was built by Horace Walpole, son of British Prime Minister Robert Walpole, in the 18th century. Built on the site of the Medieval Syon Abbey, it has been in the family of the present owners for more than 400 years and has seen some significant changes over the centuries. The friendly staff will be happy to give you a tour. The galleried hall is especially attractive. Standard Entry Fee: from 3.50 | Nearest station: Kew Gardens Station or Kew Bridge Station. Opening times: Sun 10am-6pm Its impressively beautiful collections of plates and art, magnificent reception rooms, banqueting hall, and large gold and silver vaults leave you amazed. Standard Entry Fee: Not specified | Nearest station: Covent Garden. Nearest station: Eltham or Mottingham. The Waterloo Gallery houses paintings and drawings from the Spanish royal collection, including artworks by Ribera, Velazquez, and Goya. The Garden of Surprises and the Sculpture Garden in particular are worth seeing. 168 Estates for sale in UK Save search Show sold properties Most recent Savills has a very wide range of estates for sale, located across the UK. Another finest surviving 18th-century London stately home is Spencer House. Beyond the Great Hall is the Great Staircase, one of the most magnificent Jacobean pieces of woodwork in an English house. On one fateful visit in 1541 he came with Catherine Howard, his fifth wife. Built around 1686, the Fenton House and Garden has been a National Trust property since 1952 and it's situated right on the edge of the beautiful Hampstead Heath . Price: from 8.10 Most will need a car to get to, though in many cases you can take a train from central London to a nearby rail station and then take local transport to the house. Inside you can view many aspects of the first dukes life, most outstandingly his amazing art treasures and incomparable collections of porcelain, silver, sculpture, furniture and memorabilia. New here? Polesden Lacy is an early 19th-century Regency house transformed into an Edwardian mansion by the brewery heiress Mrs Ronald Greville. It was once the home of the Russell family, Earls of Bedford. Here's a rundown of ten of the best National Trust properties and stately homes you can explore in or near London: 1. 6 Amazing Stately Homes and Castles Near London Buckingham Palace may take all the glory in London itself, but drive out of the capital and you will find lots more architectural gems waiting to be explored. Standard Entry Fee: 10.00 | Nearest station: Richmond. Between 1747 and 1792 Walpole doubled its size, creating extraordinary rooms and adding towers and battlements to make it the fairytale establishment it is today. Europes most complete surviving 17th-century mansion, Ham House is full of lavish interiors and original art by Van Dyck and other masters. When you think of stately homes to visit near London, you may think of going to the countryside. From Tudor dwellings to regal residencies, London is home to an extraordinary variety of historic houses perfect for weekend. But whether you're a London visitor or even a resident of the capital, there are still some beautiful stately homes within easy reach, making for a wonderful day trip. No expense was spared on the detailing; from a gilded miniature ship weather vane to the wood carved characters from The Three Musketeers, there is an amazing variety of craftsmanship to be admired. The most interesting feature of the house interior is Churchill's study, where he wrote many of his books, particularly the historical books he produced after retiring from politics, such as his enduring 'A History of the English-Speaking Peoples'. The infant princess had her own household, and her elder sister Princess Mary served as her lady-in-waiting. 1. The dramatic staircase at the entrance is so noticeable and the view of the garden from the upper floors stained-glass windows is adorable. Leighton House is an art museum with terrific period interiors including the Arab Hall and Narcissus Hall. Standard Entry Fee: 6.50 | Nearest station: Mansion House Underground Station. Chiswick House is one of the most famous stately homes to visit near London. Consequently, it pops up in more films than Owen Wilson including the most recent Alice Through The Looking Glass. The beautiful summer house even made it more fantastic. Here are some of our favourite stately homes within easy reach of London. The house is built of warm-coloured Bath stone and looks for all the world like a French chateau transported as if by magic to the English countryside. Open daily, except for Tuesdays. Like her father, Elizabeth I visited Chenies several times. Everything from flowers in the kitchen garden and hedges in the Cherry Garden to summer houses in the Wilderness Garden gives you a wow feeling. If youre unfamiliar with the term stately home, its a historic mansion. The house is behind a glamorous yet unassuming faade and is one of the only houses of its kind to have been built during the 20th century as plenty of others were sold or redeveloped. There are paintings by Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Van Dyck here, as well as internationally important 17th-century tapestries and furniture. The house overlooks ancient yew hedges and flocks of sheep in the surrounding meadows, too. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. Nearest station: Barking (mainline), Upney (District Line) and a bit of walking from either. We've also ignored current royal palaces, because they're already very well known but check out Historic Royal Palaces website for more details. Opening times: Reopen from March 2017 Many have been destroyed or converted over the years, but London still has a number that are worth a special trip. Located just off Green Park in St Jamess, it was built for John, first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Princess Diana. Strawberry Hills Rooms such as The Gallery have gilded fan vaulted ceilings and walls so remarkable that caused Walpole to say I begin to be ashamed of my own magnificence. This is why you feel that you stepped into a painters world here. From the outside, the 18th century house is relatively bland; dull even. Astor spent huge amounts of his wealth on the estate; he restored the castle, building the estate village in mock-Tudor style, and laid out the wonderful formal gardens that surround the castle. Some of the most exquisite and intriguing historic houses in England can be foundscattered across South East England. It was built on the site of the Medieval Syon Abbey and boasts a breathtaking wealth of art and grand classical interior. Standard Entry Fee: 5.20 | Nearest station: Green Park. Gravetye Manor House, Sussex, once owned by William Robinson one of the greatest gardeners of all time and Oakley Hall Hotel, Hampshire,whichdates back to 1795 and was formerly owned by the Bramston Family who were close friends of Jane Austen. Henry VIII visited several times. Standard Entry Fee: 10.00 | Nearest station: Hampstead Station. With over 600 years of history, it was originally built as an archbishops palace and is now home to the Sackville family. This finest of stately homes in London is known for being a filming location for the movie Notting Hill. Check out the 20 best stately homes and gardens in Greater London, South East and London in 2023 - plus 0 top sightseeing days out near you right now. Even in Horace Walpoles lifetime, the house drew many visitors to admire the beautiful architecture, stunning grounds, and Walpoles carefully cultivated collection. Knole remained in royal hands until 1566 when Elizabeth I leased it to Thomas Sackville. are usually referred to as one of the greatest treasures of England. Stately Estates is your 'personal agency'. The art collection is impressive too, with plenty of oils, drawings and sculptures by the former owner on display. When most people think of visiting stately homes, they think of going to the countryside. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Great info and pics as usual. 10 of the UK's best stately homes - London Planner 112 countries and counting! Price: from 10.50 Outside, visitors can explore the grounds, which started life as a medieval deer park and still have a lot of deer today. Other highlights include a number of Dutch paintings, including The Garden of Love, by Rubens. Placed in Barking, Eastbury Manor Houses Tudor glamor and orange brick facade are prominent from the lavender-lined path leading to the entrance. Osterley Houses exterior has Neo-Classical features, and its interiors contain intricate plasterwork ceilings and Georgian furnishings. From flowers in the kitchen garden to summer houses in the Wilderness Garden and hedges in the Cherry Garden, theres a lot to discover. 6 best London stately homes that are open to the public | Tatler We've put together a list of the best stately homes and historic houses around the capital. Opening times: open from January 2017 No other building in the country quite compares with Horace Walpole's mock-Gothic pile of Strawberry Hill, located near Twickenham. The Orchard Lawn is a . Over the following centuries, it passed through the hands of several private owners until in 1903 it was purchased by the hotelier William Waldorf Astor. You'll find a fairly typical, if not dazzling, cavalcade of period furniture, paintings and grand gestures. 1. Built over 400 years ago, Goldsborough Hall is one of the finest Jacobean stately homes in Britain. Originally used as a private residence for much of its life, Burgh House has been home to a physician, an upholsterer and a vicar, as well as to Rudyard Kiplings daughter, but it is now open to the public four days a week as an independent charitable trust for arts, heritage and the community. Harris clock collection, mementos of connections with India. Medieval almshouses, church, ambulatory, Brethren's Hall and kitchen, Master's garden. Required fields are marked *. Allow us to fully represent you and your estate ambitions from day one. London's Top Historic Houses And Stately Homes | Londonist This caf is a great place to be on a hot summer afternoon! Nearest station: Temple, Covent Garden or St. Pauls, Experience life as an eighteenth century royal courtier within this palace of secrets, stories and public livesthathas been influenced by generations of royal women. If you want to see them, today I bring you A Lady in Londons guide to my favorite stately homes in London. You can even do my Sevenoaks walk if you want to discover more of the area. The decorative panelling was imported from Parisian houses, and the richly ornamented rooms boast superb plastered and painted ceilings. The beautiful Georgian house of Belmont,contains fabulous mementoes of the family's history and travels - fine paintings, furniture, Indian silverware and the finest and most extensive range of clocks in private hands in the country. Theres everything from courtyards to an orangery to explore, as well as winding paths through the parkland. That's no shame, because this fabulous building the first Classical-style pile in London is best enjoyed in solitude. There are acres of countryside to explore and marked walking paths, so its a great place to get into nature as well. London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans Whats Your Favorite? Syon House is the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland and is one of the last great and profoundly historic houses of London. Though the Adam interiors are outstanding, the true interior highlight at Hatchlands is the Cobbe Collection of rare and unusual keyboard instruments; probably the largest such collection in the world. Out in Twickenham, Strawberry Hill House is my top pick for whimsical stately homes in London. Built in 1611 for Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, its a great example of Jacobean architecture and craftsmanship. Butser Ancient Farm, nestled within the Southdowns National Park, is a wonderful outdoor space showcasing Ancient Britain through experimental archaeology. Nearest station: Brentford or Syon Lane. Located right on the Thames, Ham House is actually a National Trust property in the capital city. This is a great place to visit if you like fine art and landscape architecture. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, with a rather nice tea shop, Elthams hard to beat for a relaxing day trip. Standard Entry Fee: 10.80 |Nearest station: Strawberry Hill. I loved Ham House and now have many ideas for my next London visit. Petworth boasts a superb collection of fine art, including works by JMW Turner, Thomas Gainsborough, and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Something wrong with this article? Your email address will not be published. One of the historic highlights at Dorney is a piece of Elizabethan tapestry, given as a wedding present to Thomas Palmer in 1624. Giant lily pads will live you amazed and you can explore an exotic rainforest in the Palm House. 4. Price: from 9.90 Kew House is so popular because of its worlds most famous garden. Ah, but when Mary took the throne, Elizabeth became a virtual prisoner at Hatfield. Moreover, you can see much 17th-century needlework and oriental and European porcelain that was brought there. Price: from 13.00, free under 16 Anne's father, Thomas de Boleyn, enlarged Hever and added the Long Gallery. But there's a good reason that stately homes are often referred to as country houses - they tend to be out in the English countryside, far from London, where many visitors to England start, and in many cases, end their trip to Britain. Many visitors will miss Queen's House, in favour of the observatory, Maritime Museum, brewery complex and newly refashionable Painted Hall. In the reign of Edward I, John, Lord Russell, transformed Chenies from a secluded country house into a fortified manor house suitable for hosting the royal court. The Royal Mews is an important branch of the Lord Chamberlain's Office and provides road transport for TheQueen and members of the Royal Family by both horse-drawn carriage and motor car. The imposingbaroque style of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is one of the most architecturally elaborate historic houses in England. This interesting place in North London is my favourite of all time. Standard Entry Fee: 5.20 | Nearest station: Barking station. Central Greenwich is one big theme park. Chiswick House is another of the best London stately homes. Petworth House In West Sussex, the pretty town of Petworth is home to an impressive stately home near London called Petworth House. Many of the downstairs rooms are filled with Georgian and later furniture, though much of the decor has its roots firmly in Tudor times. All the houses on my list are open to visitors, but check opening hours before you go to ensure theyre open when you want to see them. You can also stay in some beautiful historic houses in the South, including Charney Manor, Oxfordshire, parts of which date back to the 13th Century. All things aside, Fenton House has a mysterious history! Tucked away behind a grand yet unassuming facade, this stately home in London is one of the only houses of its kind to have made it through the 20th century, when many others were sold and redeveloped. Nearest station: Golders Green, Highgate, Hampstead (all Northern Line, and a bit of a trek, if a pleasant trek, from any of them). When you think of stately homes to visit near London, you may think of going to the countryside. The gardens are equally impressive. Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4pm Hatfield is one of the great stately homes of England, built from an earlier bishop's palace. Quite remarkable. The house, interiors, and grounds were used in the filming of Downton Abbey. Situated in the heart of historic Rochester, Eastgate House featured in the work of Charles Dickens.