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14 Most Famous London Stately Homes To Visit

Last Updated on 22 November, 2022

London stately homes are usually referred to as one of the greatest treasures of England. When you think of stately homes to visit near London, you may think of going to the countryside. However, a lot of them are placed in the capital city if you know where to look.

These treasures are hidden around the town, from the heart of the capital to the edges. London stately homes are also called country houses because they’re likely to be out in the English countryside – where many tourists begin and maybe end their trip to this country .

Whether you’re a resident of London or even a visitor, many amazing stately homes within easy reach can make a memorable day trip for you. Although most of them may need a car to get to, some of them are still close enough that you can take a train from central London to a close by rail station and use a local vehicle to the houses.

Here I bring you the ultimate guide to some of the most famous and popular London stately homes – this coming from a tourist based in London. They are definitely worth discovering! 

Beautiful Stately Homes In London

You can squeeze many of these whether visiting London for one day or doing a two-day London itinerary or even 3 days in the capital.

Osterley House

Osterley House is located out west near Heathrow in an expansive park full of cows, ponies, streams, and other countryside properties. This is where feels a million miles from the city and it’s worth taking a stroll through the gardens. The Tudor Garden on the outside is filled up with zinnias, sweet peas, calendulas, sunflowers, and other flowers during the spring and summer. The beautiful summer house even made it more fantastic.

This most impressive of stately homes in London is an 18th-century creation by Robert Adam – similar to Aspley House. Its exterior is designed with Neo-Classical features and the interiors contain very detailed plasterwork ceilings and Georgian furnishings.

Standard Entry Fee: £9.90 | Nearest station : Osterley Station

Chiswick House

Chiswick House is one of the most famous stately homes to visit near London. This is the former residence of the third Earl of Burlington in the 18th century. The Neo-Palladian features of this house in Chiswick have outstanding symmetry inside and out.

As one of the most beautiful English Heritage sites in London, Chiswick House has stunning features. The rooms present luxurious jewel-tone wall coverings, famous paintings, and wonderful views over the gardens underneath. In fact, gardens were the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement and inspired New York’s Central Park.

The house’s paths are perfect to wander along as they lead to surprises such as water properties along the way.

Standard Entry Fee: £6.10 | Nearest station: Stamford Brook bus station

This is one of my favorites from the best stately homes near London! Located right on the Thames, Ham House is actually a National Trust property in the capital city. Located in Richmond , this is Europe’s most complete surviving 17th-century mansion. It is full of 

Europe’s most complete surviving 17th-century mansion, Ham House is full of sumptuous interiors and original art of masters like Van Dyck. Ham House gardens are also very impressive. 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. There’s a lot to cherish here, so ensure to have at least half a day to discover all parts.

Standard Entry Fee: £10.00 |  Nearest station: Richmond

Spencer House

Another finest surviving 18th-century London stately home is Spencer House. It is placed just off Green Park in St James’s and was built for an ancestor of Princess Diana, John (first Earl Spencer). 

Spencer House’s exterior design is all Georgian aristocratic glamor. Here you can see beautiful State Rooms which are among the first Neo-Classical interiors in the whole of Europe. Eight staterooms, designed by John Vardy and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, are open to visitors on Sundays. You can see many wonderful paintings by Reynolds and other objects of art in the rooms.

By the way, don’t miss a tour of the garden and learn about its amazing history from experts.

Standard Entry Fee: £5.20 |  Nearest station: Green Park

Eastbury Manor House

This one of the best stately homes near London lies in a green square in the middle of a residential area. Placed in Barking, Eastbury Manor House’s Tudor glamor and orange brick facade are prominent from the lavender-lined path leading to the entrance.

Its 16th-century interior still shows original Elizabethan doors and a wooden staircase built of solid oak. Although there isn’t so much furniture inside, guides and displays bring it all to life. There is also a pretty kitchen garden outside of the house and the lavender path which I mentioned above is striking in the summer.

Standard Entry Fee: £5.20 | Nearest station: Barking station

Kenwood House 

If you go up north in Hampstead Heath, you can see the remarkable white facade of Kenwood House, standing out among all the beautiful trees and hills around it. Kenwood House is built in the 17th century and used as a home for the Earls of Mansfield during the 18th and 19th centuries. This is now open to visitors as a museum.

Kenwood House is famous among all stately homes in London for being a scene location for the “ Notting Hill ” movie. Its interiors are designed by Robert Adam and display many paintings by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Turner, and Gainsborough.

Don’t forget to have a cream tea outside in the cafe of Kenwood House. This café is a great place to be on a hot summer afternoon!

Standard Entry Fee: Free | Nearest station: Hampstead station

Fenton House

If I want to choose to see one house among all of the London stately homes, that definitely would be Fenton House! This interesting place in North London is my favourite of all time. Fenton House now belongs to the National Trust, but it is actually a 17th Century former residence of merchants.  

Lady Binning was the prior owner of the place and left behind so beautiful furniture, paintings, and a stunning collection of 18th-century porcelain. All of them now are on display for visitors to see. Fenton House also showcases the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments and Georgian furniture. Moreover, you can see much 17th-century needlework and oriental and European porcelain that was brought there. 

All things aside, Fenton House has a mysterious history! There are not much known about the origins of this two-storey house – except that its strange attic and dormers were constructed with deep brown bricks and rubbed red brick window frames and corner. Interesting, huh? 

Standard Entry Fee: £10.00 |  Nearest station: Hampstead Station

Two Temple Place

Two Temple Place is a late Victorian mansion and one of the hidden architectural gems among all stately homes to visit near London. It was the estate office of William Waldorf Astor, controversially the richest man in the world in 1895.

Over time it has become one of the capitol’s most prestigious venues for corporate and private entertaining. There is a great variety of craftsmanship to be admired in Two Temple Place as no expense was spared on the detailing. You can see many fantastic things here, from a gilded miniature ship weather vane to the wood-carved characters of “The Three Musketeers”!

Standard Entry Fee: Not specified |  Nearest station: Covent Garden

Kew Palace and Gardens

Kew Palace is one of the London stately homes in West London which is actually a beautiful Georgian royal retreat. This amazing place is so much fun to explore and indulge in a little old-fashioned promenading. Kew House is so popular because of its world’s most famous garden.

You can explore over 130 hectares of landscapes and gardens, walk in a stomach-plummeting treetop path and enjoy visiting tropical glasshouses. Giant lily pads will live you amazed and you can explore an exotic rainforest in the Palm House.

Standard Entry Fee: from £3.50 | Nearest station: Kew Gardens Station or Kew Bridge Station

 Syon House

One of the greatest and most deeply historic London stately homes is Syon House! This spectacular place is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland. 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. Syon House boasts a spectacular wealth of art and grand classical interior design.

Standard Entry Fee: £5.50 | Nearest station: Brentford or Syon Lane

 Mansion House

Built in the 18th century, the Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. This Palladian-style house has served several purposes over the years, including a court. ‘In-house’ guides manage certain tours around the house and only groups are admitted, not individuals. 

Its impressively beautiful collections of plates and art, magnificent reception rooms, banqueting hall, and large gold and silver vaults leave you amazed. One important thing to remember about Mansion House is its opening times. The house is open only by appointment for visits by organised groups – often a minimum of 15 people. If you are visiting be sure to check out other cool things to do in London Bridge .

Standard Entry Fee: £6.50 |  Nearest station: Mansion House Underground Station

 Leighton House

This is the former studio house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton. Leighton House is an art museum with terrific period interiors including the Arab Hall and Narcissus Hall. The museum has been open to visitors since 1929 and Arab Hall is probably its most extraordinary feature.

The house has a lasting exhibition of Victorian paintings, drawings, and sculptures which showcases works of many famous artists such as Leighton, Burne-Jones, Millais, Stevens, Alma-Tadema, and the Cecil French Bequest. This is why you feel that you stepped into a painter’s world here. When you are done exploring this beautiful house, nearby you also have amazing shopping on Kensington High Street , you also have the Design Museum and Kensington Palace not too far.

Standard Entry Fee: £9.00 (Free entry for children under eighteen years old) | Nearest station: Kensington

 Strawberry Hill House

Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham is my top pick for strange stately homes near London. This Gothic Revival beauty was constructed in the 18th century. Horace Walpole, son of British Prime Minister Robert Walpole, had Strawberry Hill House built in southwest London.

The exterior design of the house is like a giant white wedding cake with whimsical turrets and frosted crenelations. The interior and rooms are also so lavish. The dramatic staircase at the entrance is so noticeable and the view of the garden from the upper floor’s stained-glass windows is adorable.

Even in Horace Walpole’s lifetime, the house drew many visitors to admire the beautiful architecture, stunning grounds, and Walpole’s carefully cultivated collection. Strawberry Hill’s 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”.

Standard Entry Fee: £10.80 |  Nearest station: Strawberry Hill

 Apsley House

18th-century Apsley House is the London townhouse of the Dukes of Wellington. Located right on Hyde Park Corner at the end of Piccadilly, this stately home placed a large collection of paintings, artworks, and other 1st Duke’s career memorabilia.

Despite its accessible central location and unique address (Number One, London), Apsley House is mostly overlooked. The house is behind a glamorous yet unassuming façade 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.

Apsley House is designed by famous architect Robert Adam and is most known for its grand collection of artworks.

The Waterloo Gallery houses paintings and drawings from the Spanish royal collection, including artworks by Ribera, Velazquez, and Goya. It also houses the oldest surviving English grand piano that ever existed. 

Standard Entry Fee : £6.70 |  Nearest station : Victoria

Map Of Stately Homes In London

I hope you’ve enjoyed going through the 14 most famous and popular London stately homes via this virtual tour. Many other historic places around the capital city are also worth visiting.

If you are looking for some great historic places to indulge in with your friends on a day trip, don’t miss these best stately homes near London. Below is a handy map of all the homes in London. If you loved this post, also check out the post on the Royal Palaces in London .

My name is Bianca and welcome to my local guide of London's Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Everything you need to know about exploring London in addition to the coolest hangouts and Instagrammable spots.

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Posted on 14th August 2022 Categories Things to do

By: Author Lauren Kendrick

14 Beautiful Stately Homes in London You Need to Visit

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Ready to discover London’s stately homes? Look no further – these are the best ones to visit in the capital.

Not only are London’s stately homes steeped in British history, but they make for a fun day out and, better yet, there are lots of them to explore in the capital. 

Although, with so many to choose between, it can be tricky to decide where to go. Luckily, we’ve found the best Gothic, Medieval, Georgian and French-inspired stately homes in London for you to peruse.

Fancy travelling a little bit further? We’ve also rounded up the best stately homes to visit near London if you’re in the mood for a day trip.

Ready to explore? Let’s dive in.

Stately Homes in London

Strawberry hill house.

Horace Walpole built the gothic Strawberry Hill House – commonly known as Strawberry Hill– in the 18th Century. Walpole’s eccentric architectural style is present throughout, from a piercing white castle exterior to its cathedral-like interior.

Inside the house is adorned by a collection of antiques and renaissance paintings with intricate tiles spanning the floors and red-painted walls. 

This Twickenham stately home hosts a number of events every month from dinner clubs, book clubs and theatre shows– as well as being open to the public to visit. 

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace in Greenwich was once a Medieval palace and then a royal Tudor residence. It’s a quirky mix of Medieval and Art Deco and is one of the most interesting stately homes in London. 

When Eltham Palace was transformed in the 1930s by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld, the house was fitted with the latest technology of that time. A must-visit is the extravagant bathroom, lined with gold mosaic and onyx, gold-plated taps, and the goddess of the psyche. 

Visit Eltham Palace for its gardens, Medieval palace and exquisite Art Deco interior.   

Ham House and Garden is a unique 17th Century stately home, and one of the only great Stuart houses. Just 10 miles from Central London on the rural banks of the River Thames, Ham House was originally built by William Murray. 

This stately home has a variety of art and treasures from the historic families who lived there over the years. The 17th Century walled gardens are bursting with plants and garden produce that supply the cafe with home-grown ingredients all year round.

Ham House offers family activities and free tours guided by knowledgeable volunteers – it’s a National Trust property, so you’re in good hands. 

Kenwood House

A neoclassical home on Hampstead Heath , Kenwood House is surrounded by an expansive and luscious green garden. 

Kenwood House’s Georgian and neoclassical architecture are worth a visit. The house was designed by 18th Century architect Robert Adam, and The Great Library is a beautiful blue colour with an arched roof with ornamental designs. 

The gorgeous gardens span 112 acres of glorious parkland, look out for various sculptures, ancient woodland and the Sham Bridge. 

Apsley House

On the southeast corner of Hyde Park, you’ll find Apsley House – a unique aristocratic home. Also named No.1 London, this Georgian home of the Duke of Wellington is Grade-I listed and the building pretty much remains the same as when the Duke lived there.

Apsley House has a museum dedicated to its former residents and its must-see art collection includes paintings from Van Dyck, Goya, Velazquez, and Rubens. The English Heritage house has grand chandeliers hanging from the sculpted ceilings with etched glass and artwork that hangs proudly from the walls. 

Apsley House is open Wednesday through Sunday and groups can book guided tours to find out more about its paintings and rich history. 

Spencer House

Westminster

Located next to St James’s Park is Spencer House , a historic mansion that looks fit for royalty. And, funnily enough, the magnificent 18th Century aristocratic palace was built under orders from Princess Diana’s ancestor, John Spencer.

You may notice its Greek architecture, that’s down to the designer James Stewart who had a love for Greek buildings.

Eight state rooms are open for public viewing on Sundays. The rooms were some of the first neoclassical interiors in Europe. A tour of the garden is not to be missed, with not a blade of grass out of place, learn about its historical context from experts.

Chiswick House

Chiswick House and gardens is a celebration of 18th-century British architecture. This Neo-Palladian style villa was designed and built by Richard Boyle, and it showcases his love for art and architecture. 

You’ll notice the Roman style of Chiswick House as soon as you see its grand pillars and many stairways at the rear. Inside you’ll be greeted with lavish velvet hangings that scour the first floor – and don’t forget to look up at the remarkable painted ceilings.

Chiswick House is a backdrop for festivals, summer camps, dog shows and lots more, it’s also open to the public Thursday through Sunday.  

Kensington Palace

You may know Kensington Palace as part of the official London residence of Will and Kate, but did you know there’s a part of it you can visit? 

Steeped in Royal history, Kensington Palace was once a small suburban villa known as Nottingham House before becoming a royal retreat.

Discover the royal stories of Queen Victoria, William and Mary and the clothes worn by Queen Elizabeth, Princess Magraret and Diana. Wander the ornate rooms, with elegant staircase and impressive halls where William and Mary held magnificent balls.

Fenton House

One of the most interesting stately homes in North London is Fenton House . A 17th Century former merchants home that now belongs to the National Trust. 

Its previous owner, Lady Binning, left behind furniture, paintings and a stunning collection of  18th-century porcelain that’s now on display for visitors to see. The Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments, Georgian furniture, 17th Century needlework and oriental and european porcelain was brought to Fenton House too. 

Not much is known about the origins of this two storey house, except that it boasts an attic and dormers built with deep brown bricks, with rubbed red brick window frames and quoin. Mysterious, we like it.

Stately Homes Near London

Hatfield house.

Hertfordshire

Once a Tudor royal palace, Hatfield House is a stately home near London. This Hertfordshire house was turned into a stately home when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, and he used it as a place where could raise his children. 

Hatfield House is set in an expansive park with beautiful woodland walks to explore. The house is a prime example of Medieval brickwork and the banqueting hall still retains its original roof timbers. 

You can book tours to visit Hatfield House, the old palace and the gardens throughout the year. The gardens are filled with interesting sculptures as well as a yew hedge, herbaceous plants and geraniums. 

Chartwell House

Gain an in-depth insight into Sir Winston Churchill’s family home at Chartwell House in Kent. 

Churchill brought his daughter up at the Chartwell House and reluctantly moved out due to ill health in 1964. The house was given to The National Trust 18 years before his death because the upkeep was too expensive for Churchill.

The house is still decorated as it was in the 1930s and the library, dining room, study and sitting room look as if the Churchill family has only just left. 

Explore Churchill’s studio (who knew he was an amateur painter?), wander through the family home, and embark on walking trails, or discover Chartwell House through an audio guide. 

Originally an archbishop’s palace, Knole is a stately home situated in Knole Park. The 1,000-acre park is in the southeast of Sevenoaks in Kent, and the house is ranked one of England’s fifth largest houses. 

Bourchier transformed the archbishop’s palace into a stately home that looks distinctly like an Oxford college. Later, Thomas Sackville made the house an aristocratic treasure house for the Sackville family designed to impress visitors– and it definitely does just that.

Today you can visit Knole’s impressive collection of furniture, tapestries, paintings, objects and tiles, most of which were removed from former Royal residents homes.  At Knole there are plenty of family activities, fun days and wild deer to spot in Knole Park – it’s one of the best stately homes to visit near London. 

Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey is an Edwardian 19th-century stately home located on the North Downs near Bookham in Surrey. 

Mrs Ronald Greville transformed the house into an Edwardian mansion where she would entertain film stars, politicians and socialites. The beautiful home was designed by Mewes and Davis who designed the Ritz Hotel in London. 

Greville, the socialite, filled Polesden with a glamorous collection of treasure, no expense spared where she was concerned. Luckily she left her collection of over 100 treasures to the National Trust to be viewed by intrepid visitors. 

You can explore the house at your own pace or join one of the many guided tours at Polesden Lacey, from the great dining room to the central hall. 

Waddesdon Manor

Buckinghamshire

Waddesdon Manor is a country house in the little village of Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire – it’s National Trust owned and managed by the infamous Rothschild family. In fact, Waddesdon Manor was built by a Rothschild in the 19th Century and was inspired by a French Renaissance Chateau. 

Inside there are more French resemblances, rooms are built with wall panels taken from Parsian houses of the 1700s. In the green boudoir, dragons, butterflies and monkeys imitating humans are carved into the walls.

Waddesdon Manor was created to impress, and it certainly does that. See it for yourself, book tickets that grant you full access to explore the exquisite grounds and house. 

Practical Tips for Visiting London’s Stately Homes 

• The National Trust is a charity and membership for heritage and conservation and most of these stately homes are owned by the National Trust. You can choose from joint, family, individual and lifetime memberships here . Starting from as little as £6.40 a month. Membership gives you free access to any National Trust stately home and more
• English Heritage manages over 400 historic monuments including some of these stately homes. Become a family, individual, joint or lifetime member and enjoy free access to English Heritage sites for as little as £5.50 a month.
• Check if you need to book tickets before you visit any stately home.

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Lady’s 9 Stately Homes in London You Should Visit

When most people think of visiting stately homes, they think of going to the countryside. But there are a lot in London if you know where to look. They’re hidden around the city, from the heart of the capital to the outskirts, and they’re worth discovering. If you want to see them, today I bring you A Lady in London’s guide to my favorite stately homes in London.

Stately Homes in London

If you’re not familiar with the concept of a stately home, it’s a historic mansion. Many have been destroyed or converted over the years, but London still has a number that are worth a special trip.

You can visit all the houses on my list, but make sure to check opening hours before you go. Some are closed seasonally or for events, and others are only open on certain days of the week.

Whenever you go, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

1. Strawberry Hill House

Out in Twickenham, Strawberry Hill House is my top pick for whimsical stately homes in London. This Gothic Revival beauty was built by Horace Walpole, son of British Prime Minister Robert Walpole, in the 18th century.

The exterior of Strawberry Hill House is like a giant white wedding cake with fanciful turrets and frosted crenelations.

The interior is equally lavish. Visitors are greeted by a dramatic staircase at the entrance, and the views from the upper floors show off the gardens and grounds from stained-glass windows.

Rooms like The Gallery have gilded fan vaulted ceilings and walls so dramatic they prompted Walpole to declare “I begin to be ashamed of my own magnificence”.

2. Apsley House

Right on Hyde Park Corner at the end of Piccadilly , 18th-century Apsley House is often overlooked despite its central location and historic address of “Number One, London”.

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.

Designed by famous architect Robert Adam and home to the Dukes of Wellington, Apsley House is known for its impressive collection of art.

The Waterloo Gallery has paintings from the Spanish royal collection, including works by Ribera, Goya, and Velazquez. The oldest surviving English grand piano calls Apsley House its home, too.

3. Osterley House

Out west near Heathrow, Osterley House is set in an expansive park full of cows, ponies, streams, and other countryside features that make it feel a million miles from the city.

Like Aspley House, this most imposing of stately homes in London is an 18th-century Robert Adam creation.

Osterley House’s exterior has Neo-Classical features, and its interiors contain intricate plasterwork ceilings and Georgian furnishings.

Outside, it’s worth taking a stroll through the gardens. The Tudor Garden is full of sweet peas, sunflowers, calendulas, zinnias, and other flowers during the warmer months, and the summer house is beautiful.

4. Chiswick House

Chiswick House is another of the best London stately homes. The former residence of the third Earl of Burlington, this 18th-century Neo-Palladian house in Chiswick has stunning symmetry inside and out.

This place is one of the most beautiful English Heritage sites in London . The rooms feature sumptuous jewel-tone wall coverings, historic paintings, and views over the gardens below.

And speaking of the gardens, they were the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement and inspired New York’s Central Park.

The paths are great to wander along, not least because they lead to surprises like water features along the way.

5. Mansion House

The official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, the 18th-century Mansion House was designed in the Palladian style by George Dance the Elder.

Situated in the heart of the City of London , its striking Corinthian columns support a pediment with a tympanum sculpture by Sir Robert Taylor. It features a symbolic figure of the City of London trampling on her enemies.

Mansion House has served numerous purposes throughout its life, including a court with holding cells for famous prisoners like suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. It’s also home to an impressive 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art collection.

6. Ham House

Out in Richmond , Ham House is my favorite National Trust property in London .

This London stately home is located right on the Thames. Europe’s most complete surviving 17th-century mansion, Ham House is full of lavish interiors and original art by Van Dyck and other masters.

The gardens are equally impressive. From flowers in the kitchen garden to summer houses in the Wilderness Garden and hedges in the Cherry Garden, there’s a lot to discover.

7. Kenwood House

Up north in Hampstead Heath, the striking white facade of Kenwood House stands out among the trees and hills around it.

Built in the 17th century and used as a residence for the Earls of Mansfield through the 18th and 19th centuries, it’s now open to the public as a museum.

This finest of stately homes in London is known for being a filming location for the movie Notting Hill .

The Robert Adam-designed interiors are graced by paintings by Rembrandt, Turner, Gainsborough, and other famous artists. Outside, the cafe at Kenwood House is one of my favorite places to have cream tea on a summer afternoon.

8. Spencer House

Spencer House is one of London’s finest surviving 18th-century private stately homes in London. Located just off Green Park in St James’s , it was built for John, first Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Princess Diana.

The exterior is all Georgian aristocratic splendor, and the State Rooms are among the first Neo-Classical interiors in Europe.

Designed by John Vardy and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, the eight rooms on display to the public are furnished with period furniture, paintings by Reynolds, and other objects of art.

9. Eastbury Manor House

Out east in Barking, Eastbury Manor House lies in a green square in the middle of a residential area. Its Tudor splendor and orange brick facade are best admired from the lavender-lined walkway leading to the entrance.

The 16th-century interior of this stately home in London still features original Elizabethan doors and a wooden staircase made of solid oak. There’s not a lot of furniture inside, but guides and displays bring it to life.

Outside, a pretty kitchen garden sits to one side of the house and the aforementioned lavender path is striking in the summer.

Best Stately Homes in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual tour of the finest stately homes in London. There are lots of other historic houses worth visiting in the UK capital, too.

Hampstead’s Fenton House, Hackney ‘s Sutton House, and Bexleyheath’s Red House are all great examples of period architecture.

And that’s to say nothing of London’s royal palaces , which offer more sumptuous interiors to explore. I hope you enjoy discovering them all.

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2 Comments on Lady’s 9 Stately Homes in London You Should Visit

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I loved Ham House and now have many ideas for my next London visit. Great info and pics as usual.

You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy visiting the others!

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11 Of The Best National Trust Properties & Stately Homes Near London To Explore

Follow in the footsteps of Regency-era Dukes and Duchesses (or the Catton Family in Saltburn) by exploring this list of the best National Trust properties and stately homes near London over the weekend.

Period dramas and period films usually always prove to be a popular thing to watch – this being the UK after all – and the behemoth that was Bridgerton  certainly proved to be a pop cultural phenomenon. It smashed all viewing records on Netflix and was watched by a whopping 82 million people all around the globe – yep, really – and they’ve already got a third series planned. Plus, with the arrival of the smash-hit film Saltburn late last year, posh homes are certainly in it seems. Luckily for us, some of those lavish houses featured within the series – and those in Saltburn  – are actually in or near London, and there are plenty of other magnificent spots in the capital you can discover to live your best life. So, without further ado, here’s a rundown of ten of the best National Trust properties and stately homes you can explore in or near London. 

1. Fenton House and Garden

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 in North London.

It’s a large, detached house with a lovely walled garden, and has a tree-lined driveway which we think wouldn’t look out of place in a Merchant Ivory film. 

You can take a wander around the pretty sunken garden or look at a plethora of paintings, 17th-Century needlework pictures and the famous Benton Fletcher collection of keyboard instruments, which are often played for visitors by the in-house staff. The house itself is open from March and you can visit on weekends and bank holidays .

📍 You’ll find Fenton House and Garden on Hampstead Grove, London, NW3 6SP.

🚇  Nearest station is Hampstead.

2. Ranger’s House

This elegant red-brick Georgian villa isn’t actually one of National Trust’s properties, but is a lovely stately home run by the English Heritage team. It’s located on the border between Greenwich Park and Blackheath, and was used as the actual exterior of the Bridgerton family’s Wysteria-draped mansion in the namesake TV show.

Ranger’s House is perhaps most well-known for housing The Werhner Collection, a world-class art exhibition collected by the 19th-century businessman Sir Julius Wernher.

There are over 700 pieces of art on display here – including medieval statues, Renaissance paintings, ornate jewellrey and intricate French tapestries – and you’re within easy walking distance of some of Greenwich’s best restaurants and pubs so why not make a full day of it?

📍 You’ll find Ranger’s House on Chesterfield Walk, London, SE10 8QX.

🚇  Nearest stations are Greenwich and Blackheath.

 3. Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard

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The Grade II-listed Sutton House is another worthy addition to this list of National Trust properties, and it dates all the way back to the Tudor Period. It’s the oldest residential building in Hackney , and over the course of its history it has been used as a boys’ school, a centre for fire wardens and a music venue before it became a museum after a restoration project in 1991.

Over its 500-year-plus history, it has played host to everyone from Tudor courtiers to 20th-century car-breakers, and it features beautiful Jacobean wall paintings, carved wooden fireplaces to an opulent painted staircase. 

You can visit on a guided tour, and you should also visit nearby Breaker’s Yard – an award-winning community garden that was designed by RHS Landscape Designer Daniel Lobb.

📍 You’ll find Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard on 2–4 Homerton High St, London, E9 6JQ.

🚇  Nearest station is Homerton.

4. Osterley House

A magnificent neo-classical mansion that straddles the boundaries of Ealing and Hounslow, the sprawling Osterley House is one of the last surviving country estates actually in London.

It’s a Georgian National Trust property and is surrounded by spectacular rolling gardens, park and farmland – perfect for a leisurely picnic or for acting out your inner Bridgerton fantasies.

It was first constructed in the 1570s by Sir Thomas Gresham and was then transformed by the Scottish architect Robert Adam in the 1760s. They have regular exhibitions and workshops – including fireside storytelling and Winter picnics – and there’s a cute little café where you can grab a cup of tea or coffee after you’ve sufficiently explored.

📍 You’ll find Osterley House on Jersey Road, Isleworth, London, TW7 4RB.

🚇  Nearest station is Osterley. 

5. Rainham Hall

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Rainham Hall in Havering is perhaps one of the city’s best examples of a Queen Anne House, referring to the namesake style of beloved British architecture. It’s a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion which was originally built for the Sea Captain John Harle way back in 1729. 

These days it’s now joined the extensive list of National Trust properties, and it opened up to the public back in 2015. One great thing you can do here is visit The Denney Edition – an exhibition inspired by 1960s tastemaker and classical decorist Anthony Denney.

The accompanying gardens of this stately home are free to enter and are covered in a beautiful carpet of snowdrops come Spring. It’s a lovely little spot and there’s also a small section of woodland which is just calling out for a romantic walk, Bridgerton -style .

📍 You’ll find Rainham Hall on Broadway, Rainham, RM13 9YN.

🚇  Nearest station is Rainham. 

6. Red House

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If you’re a fan of the Arts and Crafts movement then you need to get yourself down to the Red House in Bexleyheath. It was the only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, the founder of said movement, and is a building of major architectural and social significance. 

It was described by Edward Burne-Jones as ‘ the beautifullest place on earth ’, so there’s definitely scope for you here to pretend that you’re in your own period drama on Netflix.

The National Trust property itself boasts a range of original features, as well as stained glass windows, paintings and embroidery by Jane Morris – a leading figure of the Pre-Raphaelite circle – and her sister Elizabeth Burden. The gardens are also a delightful place to go for a leisurely stroll.

📍 You’ll find Red House on Red House Lane, Bexleyheath, DA6 8JF.

🚇  Nearest station is Bexleyheath.

7. Hatfield House

Situated 21 miles to the north of London, this stately home is most famous for being the spot where Queen Elizabeth I Iearnt of her succession to the throne. The present Jacobean house – built by Robert Cecil in 1611 – offers visitors the chance to view a marvellous collection of pictures, furnishings and historic armour, and has been featured in films including The Favourite  with Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone and Batman .

However, the piece-de-resistance at Hatfield House is arguably the gorgeous gardens, which offer over 40 acres of woodland, landscaped sections filled with pretty plants and a large lake – perfect Bridgerton -style vibes. Hatfield is also supposedly haunted by its former royal resident – make sure you’ve got your curtsey ready!

📍 You’ll find Hatfield House on Great North Road, Hatfield, AL9 5HX.

🚇  Nearest station is Hatfield.

8. Standen House and Gardens

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Another welcome addition to this list of National Trust properties found near London, this peaceful spot is within striking distance of Gatwick Airport. It’s another stately home that was a major part of the Arts and Crafts movement, and is surrounded by a beautiful hillside garden with an award-winning plant collection. There are also numerous footpaths leading out into Ashdown Forest and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – great for a country walk we say .

The Grade I-listed Standen House and Gardens also has some exquisite Morris & Co. interiors, and the house itself is decked out to look like a weekend stay in 1925. Spring is a great time to come when the gardens are blooming with rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and spring bulbs.

📍 You’ll find Standen House and Gardens on West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE.

🚇  Nearest station is East Grinstead. 

9. Emery Walker’s House

This tall and terraced home is set right in the heart of Hammersmith, and while it isn’t a stately home per se, it is definitely worth a visit due to its intriguing history. It’s Grade II*–listed and is certainly grand – being the former home of the engraver, painter and photographer Emery Walker who had a prominent role in the Arts and Crafts movement.

Emery Walker’s House is now a museum run by the Emery Walker Trust, which was designed to establish a secure, long-term future for the house and its contents. There are also some fantastic riverside pubs within easy walking distance from the house so you can make a real day of it.

📍 You’ll find Emery Walker’s House at 7 Hammersmith Terrace, London, W6 9TS.

🚇  Nearest stations are Ravenscourt Park and Stamford Brook.

10. Drayton House

Now you might recognise this one from the recent critically-acclaimed film Saltburn which features some pretty outrageous scenes – including one where lead Barry Keoghan dances around *ahem* with his todger out while listening to ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’. It’s a beautiful, Grade I-listed place up in Nottinghamshire, and though you can’t actually step inside, you can see it from a scenic pathway which borders the estate’s grounds. Plus, you’ll get to stop in for a pint or two at the Snooty Fox pub! Winner, winner.

📍 You’ll find Drayton House at Lowick, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 3BB.

🚇  There are no stations near this one and you can’t actually enter into the house, so we’d recommend driving to the Snooty Fox Pub (16 Main Street, Lowick, Kettering, NN14 3BH) and walking from there. 

11. Syon House

The last surviving country house and estate belonging to a Duke in Greater London, Syon House is also a Bridgerton filming location and featured as Queen Charlotte’s dining room throughout the series. 

Just around the corner from both Richmond Park and Kew Gardens , it’s a beautiful spot and has been in the family of the present owners for over 400 years. Profoundly historic, the magnificent house itself holds a wealth of art within its interiors, and the sprawling grounds and gardens are well worth a visit.

There’s also Tide Meadow neatby, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and you may be able to spot plenty of wildlife including bats, birds and various rare species of fungi as you wander around. As well as featuring in Bridgerton , the house has also featured in Killing Eve , Gosford Park and Hulu’s Harlots .

📍 You’ll find Syon House at Park Road, Isleworth, TW7 6AZ.

🚇  Nearest stations are Brentford and Syon Park.

So there you have it – a selection of the best National Trust properties and stately homes near London. So if you’re wanting to channel your inner aristocrat and learn about some history while you’re at it, then you know exactly where to go!

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The 56 best places to visit in london and the south east of england.

The South East is home to many of the most famous and glorious historic houses and gardens, and here we look at 56 of the most stunning examples from different counties within the region.

If you’re visiting the UK, or looking for a staycation adventure exploring the history and extraordinary heritage of Britain, then a visit to the South East of England offers some of the finest collection of historic houses and gardens anywhere in the world. From the Tudor castle of Hever – the childhood home of Queen Anne Boleyn, to stunning gardens of Arundel and ‘World Garden’ of Lullingstone . We also list some of the best places to visit in London, including the neo-classical Spencer House and Fulham Palace alongside the Thames.

Dorney Court, Windsor

Dorney Court is one of England’s outstanding Tudor Manor Houses. Grade 1 Listed, acknowledged for its architectural and historical importance while combining great character and warmth.

The House is home to the Palmer family, passing through fourteen generations, and hosts tours, weddings, filming and events.

Englefield House, Reading

There is an inscription on a stone staircase in Englefield Gardens which reads, “If you help towards Englefield Garden either in flowers or invention you shall be welcome thither”.

This inscription was taken from a letter written in 1601 by Sir Edward Norris, the then occupier of Englefield House, and shows that a garden was managed and cared for on the Estate over 400 years ago.

Highclere Castle, near Newbury

Highclere Castle is a magnificent family home, often described as ‘the finest occupied Victorian mansion in England’. Owned by the Carnarvon Family for over 300 years, we hope visitors will discover its treasures throughout the tours of the State rooms as well as exploring the Egyptian Exhibition.

The Castle you see today was designed by Sir Charles Barry. He began in 1842 whilst re-building the Houses of Parliament. Many similarities exist between the styles of the two buildings.

Shaw House, Newbury

Shaw House is one of the best preserved Elizabethan mansions in England, built by Thomas Dolman in 1581. Over the centuries Shaw House has welcomed royalty, seen action during the Civil War, housed soldiers during World War II and schooled generations of local children.

Buckinghamshire

Chenies Manor House, Chenies

Historic Chenies Manor is open to visitors and is available for wedding ceremonies, receptions, exhibitions, events, filming and guided tours.

Beautifully nestled in the natural beauty of the Chilterns on the Herts/Bucks border. The idyllic rural setting of the manor also benefits close proximity to London and London Heathrow, situated just outside of the M25. Chenies Manor House is one of the UK’s finest Tudor Mansion Houses.

Nether Winchendon House, Aylesbury

Welcome to Nether Winchendon House, an enchanting Medieval and Tudor Manor House and Country House Wedding Venue.

Nether Winchendon House is one of the most romantic of the ancient historic houses in England and listed Grade I, set in seven acres of tranquil Gardens and surrounded by 600 acres of Parkland, on the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire border.

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 demolition, Stowe School saved the building from certain destruction. Unlike the loss and decline of many English country houses, Stowe House found a new and revived use for the 20th and 21st-centuries as a school for boys and girls.

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury

This splendid mansion, built by Ferdinand de Rothschild in the style of Louis XIV, boasts an extensive art collection and immaculate furnishings.

The collection, built by successive members of the Rothschild dynasty, includes Dutch Masters, works by Reynolds, Gainsborough and others, and outstanding furniture.

Book an event when in South East England

Historic houses and gardens all across the UK play host to a range of regular events, especially in the peak season from March to October and then in the run-up to Christmas. If you’re visiting the South East of England, or live in the area, take a look at all the fabulous events on the horizon on our official events page here.

East Sussex

Firle Place, Lewes

Firle Place has been the home of the Gage family for over 500 years, and is a house with a rich history and extraordinary collection of old master paintings, porcelain and furniture.

The Firle Estate sits in the heart of the South Downs National Park and just 60 miles from the centre of London. Incorporating several villages and farms spread over rolling hills, Firle is a thriving rural community set in one of the most picturesque parts of the United Kingdom.

Glynde Place, Lewes

Glynde Place is situated at the top of the village of Glynde and has commanding views over the Weald and Sussex Downs.

The house was built in 1569 by William and Anne Morley, to replace the previous existing family home, from local flint, chalk and Caen stone. Glynde Place has passed from William and Anne, through three intermarried families, to the current owners.

Great Dixter Gardens, near Rye

Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles.

Now under the stewardship of Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust, Great Dixter is an historic house, a garden, a centre of education, and a place of pilgramge for horticulturists from across the world.

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker

Welcome to England’s longest medieval water filled moat. This picturesque island offers a great day out for all the family.

Discover 800 years of history at Michelham: from its foundation by Augustinian canons, through the dissolution of the monasteries into its later life as a country house.

Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst

At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden.  These award winning gardens are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.

Breamore House, Fordingbridge

The magnificent Elizabethan Manor House overlooks the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest, just north of Fordingbridge. The house was completed in 1583 and looks today much as it would have done to its original owners.

Visitors can enjoy seeing a wide variety of paintings as well as tapestries, porcelain, 17th-century needlework and a rare James I carpet. There are also fine examples of period furniture in the house.

Chawton House, Alton

Built by the Knight family in the 1580, the house has undergone centuries of change and development as it has passed through different hands.

This makes it rich with quirky and fascinating features: from graffiti on paintings and ‘witch marks’ on walls, to heraldic stained glass windows and ornately carved fireplaces.

Houghton Lodge Gardens, Stockbridge

Houghton Lodge Gardens has been described by visitors as ‘the jewel of the Test Valley’, and ‘A stately pleasure-dome on the most romantic river in England’.

The Grade II* listed formal and informal gardens surround the UK’s best surviving example of an 18th-century Cottage Orné, idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test.

Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle

Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the best events in the south! Visit the Mansion with its State rooms and fully furnished Servants’ Quarters for a real sense of a bygone era.

The Grounds and Walled Gardens are open all year, this includes the Arboretum, The Pavilion Tearoom, The Stansted Park Garden Centre, The Stansted Park Farm Shop and The Maze & Railway.

Stratfield Saye House, between Reading and Basingstoke

After the Duke of Wellington’s victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the Duke chose Stratfield Saye as his country estate.

The house contains many of the 1st Duke’s possessions and is still occupied by his descendants, being a family home rather than a museum.

Take a boat to Tennyson's home...

Farringford is a Grade 1 listed building on the Isle of Wight that was the main residence of renowned Victorian Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson from 1853 until his death until in 1892.

Here he wrote some of his most famous works, including Maud and The Charge of the Light Brigade, as well as entertaining eminent artists and intellectuals of the day.

Belmont House, Faversham

Belont is a neo-classical brick country house by Samuel Wyatt, faced in pale mathematical tiles with Coade stone dressings. The light interior includes a fine staircase, hall and interesting collections of Indian and English furniture, as well as an outstanding clock collection.

A lifelong passion for horology led the 5th Lord Harris to accumulate one of the largest personal collections of clocks in the country. Six generations of the Harris family have each left their mark on this lovely country house.

Chiddingstone Castle, near Edenbridge

A historic house with Tudor origins, Victorian rooms that was rebuilt in the 1800s to resemble a medieval castle, set in 35 acres of Kentish countryside.

Chiddingstone is set in 35 acres of informal gardens with breathtaking views of the North Downs. It features large lawns for picnics, an intimate rose garden, woodland and a beautiful fishing lake.

Doddington Place Gardens, near Sittingbourne

Doddington Place is surrounded by wooded countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Downs.

The lovely landscaped gardens, recognised of being of historical importance by Historic England, are set in the grounds of an imposing Victorian mansion and cover ten acres.

Godinton House & Gardens, Ashford

Godinton is a comfortable, much-loved home; each room has a different feel, a contrast on a theme, not designed by architect or curator but for the taste and enjoyment of those who lived here over the centuries and now for visitors.

Tours of the house are led by expert guides unravelling the 600 years of history and revealing an excellent country house collection of furniture, art, porcelain and curios.

Goodnestone Park, Canterbury

Goodnestone Park was built in 1704 by Brook Bridges who had recently purchased the estate. The date of the house is scratched onto a brick on the main front.

During the early 18th century the house was surrounded by extensive formal gardens recorded in a view by William Harris. These disappeared later in the 18th century when Sir Brook Bridges, the 3rd baronet and great-grandson of the builder, replaced the gardens with a landscape park in the fashion of the time.

Hever Castle, Edenbridge

Dating back to the 13th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I.

It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion. Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and an impressive collection of Tudor portraits.

Visit South East England sustainably

We’re really keen to promote sustainable travel to historic houses and gardens across the UK, so we’ve teamed up with the folks at Good Journey , offering car-free alternatives to reaching these stunning historic attractions. We recommend you take a look at their website when planning a trip around the houses and gardens.

...also in Kent

Hole Park, Cranbrook

A less well known but delightful private home, centerpiece of a rural estate situated in the Weald of Kent in a wonderful parkland setting.

The extensive 16 acres of gardens open to the public feature formal lawns with specimen trees and extensive yew topiary with statuary and herbaceous borders within. An interesting feature is the standard form wisteria in the Vineyard.

Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford

Set within 120 acres of beautiful Kent Countryside, Lullingstone Castle is one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the time of Domesday. The present Manor House and Gatehouse dating from 1497 have been home to the Hart Dyke family ever since.

Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham

We’re most well-known for our spectacular 10 acre Edwardian gardens featuring a topiary garden, rock and water garden, arboretum and rose garden.

We also have a fabulous grass maze, planted with ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials. We are home to an extensive collection of spring bulbs, trees and shrubs including Rhododendrons, many types of Camelias and Magnolias.

Penshurst Place, Tonbridge

Penshurst Place has been home to the Sidney family since 1552 making it one of the oldest family-owned estates in England.

Surrounded by 11 acres of walled formal gardens and housing one of the few surviving medieval Baronial Halls in England, Penshurst Place is an historical gem in the Weald of Kent countryside. The stately home and gardens were once used as a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII, and now feature beautiful staterooms and grounds that are frequently showcased in popular TV and film productions.

Restoration House, Rochester

Restoration House is the amalgamation of two medieval buildings which were combined in the late 16th or early 17th-century to create a mansion house just outside the city wall of Rochester.

Over the past ten years the present owners have uncovered various parts of the decorative scheme which were  the “run up” for King Charles II’s visit on the eve of his Restoration to the throne. These provide fascinating examples of fashionable mid-17th century Continental taste seen through provincial eyes at a time when such innovations had been quashed by Cromwell.

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks

170 years of continual planting by six generations of the same family has created a rich and valuable plant collection for visitors to enjoy at Riverhill.

The gardens are an intriguing mix of historic and traditional planting, with contemporary and quirky twists, making it a fascinating ‘must visit’ garden for families and garden lovers alike.

London and Middlesex

Fulham Palace, Fulham

Discover the historic home of the Bishops of London at Fulham Palace. The Palace sits beside the Thames in Fulham and reflects the 1,300 years of occupation by the Bishops.

Take a stroll through 13 acres of botanic garden, with a peaceful walled garden at its centre. Admire the 500 year old holm oak and the new Compton beds, grown with varieties originally brought to the Palace in the 1700s.

Grove House, Roehampton Lane

Grade II* Georgian House which is closed to the public but available for private hire.

Set in fifteen acres of parkland with original Georgian and Victorian features including a large lake, mausoleum, grotto and sham bridge. The gardens are open to the public free of charge.

Spencer House, St James' Place

From its conception, Spencer House was recognised as one of the most sumptuous private residences ever built in London and a building of unique importance in the history of English architecture.

Designed by John Vardy and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, the State Rooms are amongst the first neo-classical interiors in Europe. The House has regained the full splendour of its eighteenth-century appearance after a painstaking ten-year restoration under the Chairmanship of Lord Rothschild.

Syon House, Brentford

The London home of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family were granted the former monastic site at the end of the 16th-century.

The Tudor mansion was remodelled by Robert Adam for the 1st Duke in 1760’s and the interiors are an architectural tour de force – the great hall may be Adam’s finest classical work.

The Charterhouse, Smithfield

Set in the heart of Clerkenwell, the Charterhouse has been living the Nation’s history since 1348.

Initially a Black Death burial ground, the site became home to the largest Carthusian monastery in the world until it was brutally dissolved in 1537 when 16 monks became proto-martyrs of the Reformation.

The Queen's House, Greenwich

Commissioned in 1616 by Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, the Queen’s House is the first purely classical building in Britain and represents a turning point in english architecture.

Designed by Inigo Jones as a private royal retreat, it was completed in 1638 after Charles I had given the House to his queen, Henrietta Maria.

Oxfordshire

Ardington House, Wantage

Ardington House is a Georgian masterpiece which we invite you to make your own for the most special of occasions.

Set in its own extensive gardens and parkland, Ardington House is a listed stately home, built in 1720 with an emphasis on perfect symmetry and natural light throughout.

Blenheim Palace Park, Woodstock

With its own special place in Britain’s history, Blenheim Palace is a true national treasure which brings wonder, delight and discovery to all who visit.

Home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this masterpiece of 18th century baroque architecture boasts over 300 years of history.

Broughton Castle, Banbury

Broughton Castle is a moated and fortified manor house near Banbury in North Oxfordshire.

Set in parkland and built of the rich local Hornton ironstone, it was selected by Simon Jenkins as one of only twenty to be awarded five stars in his book England’s Thousand Best Houses.

Hook Norton Brewery, Banbury

Brewing since 1849, Hook Norton Brewery is a proudly independent family owned, fifth generation brewery based in the heart of the Cotswold Hills.We take the very best of our handcrafted brewing heritage and combine it with a thoroughly modern approach, to create a range of cask, keg and bottled core ales, seasonals and one off unique brews.

Brewing on the same site for over a century and a half; still housed in the original buildings, Hook Norton invite you to come and experienced the unique sights, sounds and smells of a historic brewery at work and share in our passion and commitment to beer.

Kingston Bagpuize House, near Abingdon

Kingston Bagpuize House remains a family home. Surrounded by garden and parkland this beautiful early Georgian style house is in red brick with stone quoins, banding and window surrounds.

The entrance hall is dominated by the handsome cantilever staircase. The elegant reception rooms have period furniture and paintings.

Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames

Stonor Park has been the Stonor family’s residence for 850 years making it one of the oldest family homes still lived in today.

Discover art and treasures collected from across the globe and view historic maps and documents that reveal generations of service to the country. A stroll through this house is a vivid walk through history.

Limnerslease, Compton

In 1889, seeking a winter retreat from their Holland Park house and studio and wishing to escape the smogs of London that caused George’s bad health, G F and Mary Watts stayed with friends in Compton.

They quickly decided that this picturesque village nestled in the Surrey hills would make the ideal location for their own autumn/winter residence.

Loseley Park, Guildford

Loseley House is situated only a short distance from London in acres of rolling parkland with views that have changed very little in 500 years. The house is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture featuring many fine works of art. Loseley was built as a family home and it still remains so.

Hospitality is a family tradition and we take pride in opening our estate, house and gardens to visitors as well as for weddings, corporate events, country fairs and artisan shows.

Painshill Park, Cobham

Painshill is a beautiful award-winning 18th century landscape garden in Surrey.

The 158 acre wonderland has something for everyone and makes a great family day out. Discover the mystical follies, historic plantings, the John Bartram Heritage Collection of North American trees and shrubs (Plant Heritage, NCCPG), and some of Surrey’s amazing wildlife.

The Garth, Lingfield

The origins of The Garth, also known as The Garth Pleasure Grounds, go back to 1729 when the Lingfield parish drew up a contract, with a local carpenter Thomas Stanford, to build a new workhouse at a cost of £290. It provided basic schooling for boys making shoes, hats, bonnets and waistcoats.

The garden at the Garth covers 9 acres and was designed in 1919 by a distinguished historic Arts and Crafts buildings and landscape architect Walter H Godfrey (1881-1961).

Titsey Place, Oxted

Titsey Place in Oxted, Surrey is an impressive manor house with beautiful gardens set in the stunning countryside of the North Downs.

The House and Gardens are held in Charitable Trust and for part of the year are open to the public offering guided tours of the house which dates back to the 16th century and stunning gardens, including the walled kitchen gardens, landscaped lakes, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Rose Garden.

Vann, near Godalming

The Historic England Registered Garden is some 5-acres, maintained with three days help.

It surrounds and complements a historic family home dating from the 16 century, giving a series of garden rooms of great variety, from the formal old “cottage garden” at the front with delightfully informal planting, to a robust pergola of Bargate stone by W.D.Caröe.

West Sussex

Arundel Castle Gardens, Arundel

Set high on a hill, this great castle commands the local Sussex landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and the River Arun. From its 11th-century Norman Keep to the grandeur of its State Rooms with their stunning art and the glorious gardens, Arundel Castle will appeal to a wide range of visitors.

Gardens and grounds free to members. Closed Mondays. Free entry not valid on event days.

Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath

Borde Hill features the delightful Azalea Ring and Rhododendron Gardens, Rose Garden and scenic Italian Garden, plus subtropical dells and ruins of Old Potting Sheds.

Beyond the Garden visitors can enjoy beautiful woodland walks, lakeside strolls or explore the grade II* listed parkland. Children can let off steam in the adventure playground and dogs on leads are welcome. Events throughout the season include horticultural talks and family activities during the school holidays.

Goodwood House, Chichester

Goodwood House, home to the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years, is open to the public for 60 days a year.

The Regency State Apartments house some astonishing treasures including celebrated paintings by horse artist George Stubbs and Canaletto’s stunning views of the City of London. An extensive Sevres porcelain service is also on show, together with French tapestries, fine furniture, and fascinating objects.

High Beeches Garden, Handcross

A hidden gem in the High Weald of Sussex, High Beeches is a botanical treasure trove planted with many rare trees and shrubs.

There is much to see at every season: In spring the magnolias and camellias are under planted with swathes of daffodils and the woodland glades and vistas are,in early summer, carpeted with bluebells and filled with the colour and fragrance of the many rhododendrons and azaleas.

Parham House, Pulborough

Parham is a traditional stone E-shaped Elizabethan mansion, built in 1557. Idyllically set in the heart of an ancient deer park, below the South Downs, the Elizabethan house contains an important collection of needlework, paintings and furniture.

Parham has always been a well-loved family home, and only three families have lived here since its foundation stone was laid.

St Mary's House, Bramber

Enchanting medieval timber-framed house in the pretty downland village of Bramber, with fine panelled interiors and five acres of beautiful gardens.

St Mary’s has a unique Elizabethan ‘Painted Room’ with trompe l’oeil murals. Visitors admire its picturesque charm and enjoy its atmosphere of friendliness and welcome.

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20 of the most beautiful historic interiors to see in London

Looking for stately homes and historic houses to visit in London? 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. Whether you've a taste for Regency splendour or artistic bohemia, the capital offers a wealth of world-class historic houses, perfect to wallow in on a weekend afternoon.

2 Willow Road

Fans of modern design will go weak at the knees for this gem of a house in Hampstead. The trio of houses were designed by architect Erno Goldfinger in 1939, who made his home in No 2. Now owned by the National Trust, it contains many of his personal possessions, and some highly covetable mid-century furniture and artwork. It's hard to believe that something built over 70 years ago can still look so modern today. Hampstead, London, NW3 1TH nationaltrust.org.uk

Eltham Palace

Medieval splendour meets art-deco glamour in this incredibly unusual building. Eltham is a medieval royal palace and while history buffs can steep themselves in the centuries of rich history, the real show-stopping aspect is the series of art-deco interiors built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld when they lived at Eltham in the Thirties. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, with a rather nice tea shop, Eltham's hard to beat for a relaxing day trip. Greenwich, London SE9 english-heritage.org.uk

Sir John Soane Museum

This Georgian town house was the home of architect John Soane, who during his lifetime accumulated an extraordinary collection of antiquities and architectural salvage. During his lifetime he allowed Royal Academy students access to the house to study the contents, and it had been preserved in much the same state ever since. The interiors are truly unique - an extraordinary number of artworks and architectural details have been crammed into a relatively small space - making it a good place to study not only art, but the art of arrangement. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP soane.org

Apsley House

If grand interiors are your passion, they don't come much grander than the Duke of Wellington's town house. Known as Number One, London, this huge neoclassical mansion stands at the corner of Hyde Park. Now open to the public as an art gallery and museum, its ornate, late-eighteenth-century reception rooms are on show for all to see, yet it still retains the air of a private house. A number of different architects worked on the house so there are some architectural treats - keep an eye out for the Drawing Room and Portico Room designed by Robert Adam. Hyde Park Corner, London W1J english-heritage.org.uk

Leighton House

This former residence of the Victorian painter Frederic Leighton is the absolute antithesis of the traditional artist's garret, and even today, it can easily keep pace with the most elaborate of the Chelsea mansions in the surrounding area. In the 30 years that Leighton lived there, he embarked on a sustained mission of elaboration and expansion, turning it into a 'private palace of art'. The Arab hall, with its intricate mosaic floors, golden dome and walls covered with Islamic tiles is jaw-dropping. 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ rbkc.gov.uk

Osterley Park

Those looking to visit an English country estate might not expect to find one nestled close to super-urban Hounslow. But there you go: Osterley Park, a Georgian pile with bags of traditional English charm. It's been carefully preserved so it still looks as it would have done in the 1780s: keep an eye out for the masses of elegant Georgian furniture and sophisticated colour schemes that will send you into transports of delight. Isleworth, TW7 nationaltrust.org.uk

Fenton House

Much has been made of the extremely pretty gardens that surround this seventeenth-century merchant's house: not only does it have a rather nice orchard - Apple Day in late September allows visitors to legitimately sample the apples rather than resorting to scrumping - but there's a walled kitchen garden. Inside is equally captivating, with its collections of paintings, porcelain, needlework and instruments. The latter includes extremely rare harpsichords and spinets - time your visit to coincide with one of the lunchtime or evening concerts to hear them played. Hampstead, London, NW3 6SP nationaltrust.org.uk

575 Wandsworth Road

The elaborate interiors of this terraced house germinated out of a desire to solve an extremely practical problem. When Kenyan-born Khadambi Asalache moved into this nineteenth-century house in Wandsworth in the 1980s, he was troubled by the persistant damp in the basement dining room. He fixed pine floorboards to the damp wall but didn't stop there. Over 20 years he embellished virtually every surface in the house with elaborate fretwork patterns and motifs, which he hand-carved from reclaimed pine doors and floorboards found in skips. A true inspiration to any aspiring DIY decorator. Lambeth, London, SW8 3JD nationaltrust.org.uk

Carlyle’s House

If you want to know what a Victorian middle-class home looked like, this a good example. This Georgian terrace was the home of the historian and philosopher Thomas Carlyle and thanks to concerted efforts, the interiors are now very close to how they would have been during the time he lived there - despite the damage inflicted it by a subsequent resident who kept scores of dogs and cats. Now restored to its former glory, it provides a fascinating snapshot of Victorian life. 24 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London, SW3 5HL nationaltrust.org.uk

Sutton House

Stumbling across a Tudor manor house in the middle of Hackney is definitely a bit of a surprise. Built in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir, the exterior of the house camouflages itself rather effectively: at first glance you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for Georgian or even Victorian, with a couple of Arts and Crafts additions. But this is the real deal, as the interiors reveal. Although it's been altered over the centuries, it still retains a strong Tudor feel, with its rich, oak-panelled rooms and exquisite carved stone chimneypieces. 2 and 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, London, E9 6JQ nationaltrust.org.uk

Chiswick House

This west-London villa is home to one of the best eighteenth-century interiors ever created. William Kent was best known as an architect, but he turned his hand to every aspect of design, from furniture to decorative details. When the 3rd Earl of Burlington asked him to decorate the interiors of his new house at Chiswick, the results were spectaclar. Was Kent the first professional interior designer? Very probably. Chiswick, London, W4 2QN chgt.org.uk

Dennis Severs’ House

Dennis Severs, a Californian who made his home in Spitalfields, transformed this town house where he lived into an extraordinary still life: something between a museum piece and a film set. He imagined it as the home of a family of Huguenot weavers and chronicled their history across the series of rooms, each decorated in different styles from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Little touches such as half-eaten food and burning candles add to the lived-in effect. 18 Folgate Street, London dennissevershouse.co.uk

Ranger’s House

This Georgian villa in Greenwich Park is worth visiting for its glittering art collection: it was amassed, rather excitingly, by a Victorian diamond magnate. The elegantly proportioned rooms are enlivened by the substantial collection, which includes early religious paintings, Dutch old masters and portraits by English artists including Joshua Reynolds, George Romney and John Hoppner. Dazzling. Blackheath, London SE10 english-heritage.org.uk

Kenwood House

Kenwood's art collection is legendary: paintings by old masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Dyck sit alongside works by English painters Gainsborough, Constable and Turner. Its interiors are pretty eye-catching too - and following its recent renovations its now even better. Pieces of furniture designed by the house's architect Robert Adam have been restored to their original settings, while the sky blues, pale pinks and greens are both exuberant and historically accurate. Hampstead, London NW3 english-heritage.org.uk

Although Syon House is technically in Middlesex, its Greater London location -close to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew - means that you can experience one of England's great country houses without having to venture outside the M25. With interiors by the neoclassical architect Robert Adam, it's visually stunning. Walking through the opulent rooms, you may experience a sense of deja vu: that's because they've featured in a flurry of historic films from Gosford Park to The Madness of King George . Brentford, Middlesex TW8 syonpark.co.uk

Keats’ House

Get some Romantic inspiration with a trip to Keats House. This nineteenth-century house was only home to the famous poet for 17 months, but you can sit in the garden where he composed 'Ode to a Nightingale' and see the bedroom where he was diagnosed with the consumption that was to prove fatal. Sounds morbid? Then just enjoy the interiors, faithfully restored to as they were in the nineteenth century and adorned with all sorts of Keats mementoes. Keats Grove, Hampstead, London. NW3 2RR cityoflondon.gov.uk

Eastbury Manor House

This Grade I-listed building is the perfect place to steep yourself in some Tudor history - it comes complete with some Elizabethan-costumed guides. It's worth it from an interiors perspective - there are some interesting seventeenth-century wall paintings and furniture, and you can climb up a Tudor turret to get a better look at the soaring red-brick chimneys. Eastbury Square, Barking, Essex, IG11 9SN nationaltrust.org.uk

Turner’s House | Historic Houses | Places To Visit In London

Turner’s House, Twickenham

Not only was JMW Turner one of Britain's best-known landscape painters, but it's a little known fact that he also turned his hand to architecture, designing this house in Twickenham as a country retreat for himself and his father. Out of all the houses on this list, Sandycombe Lodge is the only one not yet open to the public. It was placed on the English Heritage's Heritage at Risk Register in 2013, and is currently undergoing a restoration programme. Keep an eye on the website for updates: this is a hidden gem in the making. Sandycombe Lodge, 40 Sandycombe Road, Twickenham TW1 2LR

Hogarth’s House

The eighteenth-century artist William Hogarth was famed for his satirical depictions of city life. The house where he spent many years of his life is a far cry from the poor, crime-ridden streets of 'Gin Alley', and the interiors reveal the life of a rather well-off Georgian. As you'd expect, there's a wonderful collection of his prints - many of them framed in the narrow, black-and-gold frames that are now called Hogarth frames, in his honour. Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, London. W4 2QN hounslow.info

This lavishly decorated and beautifully ornate seventeenth-century house sits on the banks of the Thames near Richmond. Inside it is a collection of museum-quality paintings, furniture and textiles - most of which were acquired specifically for the house 400 years ago and have been there ever since. Now, they've even restored the interiors below-stairs - fans of traditional, country-style kitchens will enjoy this. And just to add to the general excitement - it's allegedly one of the most haunted houses in Britain. Pictured are the gardens of Ham House as shot for our October 2013 new collections fabric story. See the rest of the shoot here . Richmond, TW10 nationaltrust.org.uk

The best historic houses to visit near London

By CW Contributor on 24/4/2019

Looking for the perfect day trip? We've compiled a list of the loveliest historic houses to visit near London

Charterhouse re-opened its doors to the public in 2017 for the first time since 1348. Visitors are now allowed inside this renovated museum dedicated to telling the central London house's many, many stories. Formerly a monastery, then Tudor mansion, then a school (now moved to its present Surrey location), it's now an almshouse for 40 residents and a period drama director's dream.

TRY CULTURE WHISPER Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox Try it The new opening allows members of the public to see beyond the chapel without taking a tour. It's the perfect opportunity to take in the Great Hall and the Great Chamber where Queen Elizabeth I held court during the first days of her reign. In the museum itself, find a plague skeleton and a treacherous 'cabinet of secrets'.

Admission is free, tours from £12 Located in central London Read more Red House

The café in Morris’ original kitchen is complete with Arts and Crafts-style furniture, and we love the higgidy pies. The gift shop in the Coach House sells Morris & Co. design stationary, ceramics, textiles and books. Don’t miss the Pre-Raphaelite wall painting or Morris’ early floral designs in the bedroom, discovered in 2013.

Adults £8.40, Children £4.20 Only 45 minutes from London Bridge

Waddesdon Manor

The Rothschild family's magnificent Buckinghamshire Manor combines High Victorian eccentricity with the architecture of a French Chateau and has plenty of activities and attractions to amuse the family for a day out.

The Coach House is a fantastic temporary exhibition space, which has hosted some interesting displays, including Power & Portraiture: painting at the court of Elizabeth I. To relax after all that culture, make a beeline for the Stables shop that sells the finest fudge and sweets in any stately home.

Adults £21, Children £11.50 Only two hours from London Marylebone

Read more Strawberry Hill

Greater London's gloriously Gothic stately home bucked contemporary trends for Georgian order in favour of dramatic medieval flourishes. The gardens are also magnificent with Walpole’s grove of lime trees and a wonderful Shell Bench. The Teddy Bears Picnic is a lovely children’s event on the grounds themselves.

Adults £12.50, Students £6.25, Under-16s free Only 40 minutes from Waterloo Station

Read more Polesden Lacey

With a rags to riches backstory and a guestbook that boasts the most elite figures over the last few centuries, Surrey stately home Polesden Lacey is well-deserving of its spot on the list of the National Trust's most visited properties. Families are welcome, with lawn games, family tours, quizzes, and trails, and a croquet lawn is available for hire via pre-booking. The South Lawn’s deck chairs make a comfy picnic site.

When you get hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at the Granary Café, which uses produce from Polesden’s kitchen garden, or you can get breakfast, brunch or tea at the Cowshed Coffee shop. The delicious pasties here come straight from Conisbee’s farm next door.

Adults £13.60, Children £6.80 One hour from Waterloo Station

Read more Ham House

Along with the dubious title of 'most haunted house in England' Ham House is also famed for the decadence of its decoration. So, whether or not you see a spirit, there are plenty of treasures to discover. For families there are art activities and a trail, with outdoor games also available to hire from the shop.

The Orangery Café, inspired by the beautiful walled kitchen garden where much of its food is grown, is great for a cream tea in summer, and the Tea Shed sells seasonal refreshments.

Adults £12.50, Children £6.25 Only 50 minutes from Waterloo Station

A little further out (but worth every effort): Chatsworth House

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Best Stately Homes in England You Can Visit

Last updated: August 1, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 10 Comments

Jess and I both love visiting the stately homes in England. These imposing constructions were generally built to house the aristocratic families of the country, and tend to be rather grand affairs with formal rooms, impressive architecture and, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of landscaped garden.

These homes, which are generally in the country, can also be referred to as Country Houses or Country Homes, and they are where the gentry would retire to when not hanging out in the cities taking part in the social scene. Clearly, a tough life, but someone had to do it.

During the 20th century though, and for various reasons, many of Britain’s aristocratic families ended up short on funds and so weren’t able to keep these homes maintained. One of the ways around this was to open them up to the public (or sell them to a public body), which means that today a great many of England’s finest homes and palaces are open for touring.

Some of these are still privately owned, whilst others have been given to national organisations such as the National Trust and English Heritage for ongoing maintenance and upkeep.

In today’s post, I want to share with you ten of my favourite stately homes that you can visit in England. Note that this doesn’t include major Royal Palaces like Windsor or Hampton Court – that’s going to be a whole post of its own!

I’m also just sticking to England for this one. As you can imagine, there were hundreds to choose from across the country, but I feel that each of the ten options in this post is well deserving of its title as one of the:

Table of Contents:

Best Stately Homes in England to Visit

1. Blenheim Palace

Blenheim is the only property in Britain which carries the title “Palace”, but is not Royal. Instead, it’s the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough (the family still lives on site), and is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the largest houses in England.

It’s also notable as being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and is the ancestral home of the Churchill family.

The house and grounds today are open to the public, and are a truly grand place to visit. You could easily spend a full day here, picnicking by the lake, enjoying the English Baroque architecture, touring the Winston Churchill exhibit (he also proposed to his wife on the grounds) as well as taking in the gloriously opulent state rooms and wandering the park and gardens which in their current form were designed by renowned landscape gardener Capability Brown.

It’s a good day trip from London, and could also be combined with a visit to nearby Oxford. Read more about our experiences visiting Blenheim on a day trip from London here , and book your tickets in advance here to save the queue. You can also book a day trip from London which includes Blenheim here .

2. Chatsworth House

Nestled in the Derbyshire Dales, near England’s Peak district, Chatsworth House has topped lists of the UK’s favourite country house numerous times. And it’s not hard to see why – the impressive building, surrounded by 105 acres of garden and 1,000 acres of park land is truly wonderful to behold. No wonder that 300,000 people come here every year for the garden alone!

Of course, there’s more to Chatsworth House than the garden, although with the fountains, rockeries and cascade feature, you could be forgiven for spending a whole day just in the garden.

The house itself has been home to the Cavendish family, also known as the Dukes of Devonshire, since 1549, and has been added to and extended throughout the years. The family do still live here, and of the 126 rooms, only around 20 or so are open to the public. Still, they are large, impressive and richly decorated, so a tour is well worth the entry fee.

Another notable feature of Chatsworth are the excellent dining options, with three on-site restaurants as well as two cafe’s. One of these restaurants, the Flying Childers, specialises in afternoon tea, and naturally we had to try that out. Served on Wedgwood, the afternoon tea was a sumptuous affair, and one of the best we’ve had in the UK.

If you’re looking to take your country house visit to the next level, an afternoon tea is definitely a good way to do so! For ticketing and further information, see the official Chatsworth House website. Hint – if you book online, you get free parking. You can also visit as part of this 3 day tour from Manchester .

3. Highclere Castle

Fans of the TV series Downton Abbey will instantly recognise Highclere Castle because it stands in as the main house in the show. Whilst Downton Abbey itself is fictional, this is a striking building nonetheless, and well worth visiting, even if you’re not a fan of the show.

As it happens, Jess is a huge fan of the show, and so did the whole tour. I was quite impressed with the gardens and exterior of the property, so entertained myself wandering around and waiting for the clouds to clear and the people to move so I could get a nice photo.

In terms of the building and grounds, well, like all the properties so far, the gardens had Capability Brown’s involvement (he was a busy chap!), whilst the property itself dates from 1679. It’s the home of the Earl of Carnarvon (famous for the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb – there’s an Egyptian Exhibition to celebrate this), and is open through the summer, as well as on select dates throughout the year.

Whilst general admission tickets on the official website often sell out, we have been reliably informed that if you turn up at the property you are very unlikely to be turned away. Another option is to take a day tour from London like this one which includes transport and admission.

• We have a full guide to visiting Highclere Castle to help you plan your trip.

Don’t miss the café on site for delicious scones, or the Secret Garden. Highclere Castle is about an hour’s drive south of Oxford, or a couple of hours from London – you could visit as a day trip from either, and also include Stonehenge, if you were so inclined. Check out my UK Itinerary post for more ideas on trips around the UK.

4. Wentworth Woodhouse

If my list of stately homes was a family tree, Wentworth Woodhouse would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a property of mindboggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most people have never heard of it.

It’s also a bit of an odd one to include, largely because at the time of writing this post, I don’t know for how long it is going to be open to the public for. My advice to you is, if you can get to it, and it is open, to visit as soon as you can. Whilst the property is currently owned by a Trust, with government money being allocated for restoration, there always appears to be the risk that it might return to private ownership and be closed to the public.

If that happens, it would definitely be a tragedy, because this property is, as I mentioned, just bonkers. Some quick facts to blow your mind:

Wentworth Woodhouse is the largest private home in Europe. It has over 300 rooms (no-one actually knows how many), 23,000 square meters of floor space and the property alone has a footprint of 2.5 acres. It’s so big that some guests left breadcrumb trails to get back to their rooms after dining as otherwise the chances of getting to bed were slim. Oh, it also has the longest country house façade of any house in Europe (606 feet long), and is so big that the front and the back look like two completely different properties.

So why has no-one really heard of this place?

Well, unfortunately, the house, and in particular the original gardens, have suffered their share of troubles over the years. The property sat on a huge coal seam, and just after the second world war, the UK government turned the grounds into the UK’s largest open cast mine site, causing huge devastation to the formal gardens, as well as potentially resulting in subsidence issues under the property itself.

Over its lifetime, large portions of the property have been unoccupied, and as such, a lot of restoration work is required. This might be a slight understatement. The rooms are empty for the most part, and a tour is certainly a different experience to many of the other properties on this list. Still, I absolutely urge you to visit if you can, the vast scale of the property is just incredible to behold, and the people who work here are deeply passionate about Wentworth.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the family and house, Jess recommends the book “ Black Diamonds ”, which charts the rise and fall of the Fitzwilliam family, previous owners of the house. Jess has also written a very comprehensive post all about visiting Wentworth Woodhouse , which you should definitely check out. Then, book your tour on the official website and get yourself along to this stunning property.

5. Chartwell House

Another property makes the list with a link to Winston Churchill. In fact, we’ve recently visited so many Churchill sites that Jess has written a whole post dedicated to visiting Winston Churchill sites in England .

In this case, Chartwell House was Churchill’s home, from when he and his wife Clementine purchased it in 1922, through to Sir Winston’s death in 1965, at which time Clementine presented it to the National Trust, who still own and look after the property today.

This is certainly not as grand or ostentatious a property as many of the others on this list. Whilst a property has been on the estate since the 16th century, the Churchill’s made so many changes upon their purchase that it’s essentially completely transformed. This is actually a good thing, because the 19th century version of the property was not favourably thought of.

The property is very much worth visiting, because it gives an impression of the home life of the man who was at the centre of a number of world events through the 20th century, who also happened to find time to win a Nobel Prize for literature, paint award winning landscapes, raise butterflies and build walls. So yes, definitely worth the visit. Note that Chartwell runs timed tours and it gets busy here, so we recommend arriving early in order to be in with a good chance of seeing the property close to your preferred time!

Like a number of other properties on this list, Chartwell House is a National Trust property, so it’s free to National Trust members and visitors with a National Trust touring pass . See more at the end of the post for ways to save money on entry to the properties on this list.

6. Osborne House

Ok, I promised no Royal Palaces or Castles, so this one is a bit of a cheat. This isn’t technically a palace or a castle, but is definitely associated with Royalty – it was Queen Victoria’s holiday home, and it can definitely be described as palatial – at least in size!

It can be found on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England, and feels much like an Italian villa. It was purpose built in the 19th century for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and so reflects their style and tastes.

It also had to be large enough to accommodate their extensive family, and there are parts of the grounds which were dedicated to the children’s use and education, including a miniature fort and vegetable gardens.

As you can imagine, it’s well worth exploring the house and the grounds (currently 354 acres) – in particular don’t miss the beach, which was for the private use of the Royal Family.

The house is now owned by English Heritage and open to the public, check the official website for pricing and opening times . You book your tickets online in advance here .

Osborne House is operated by English Heritage, so there’s a fee to visit. It’s free for English Heritage members ( sign up here , available to everyone), or holders of the English Heritage Overseas Visitors Pass (non-UK residents only, buy yours here ).

See more at the end of the post for saving money on entry to the properties on this list.

If you are visiting the Isle of Wight, do also take a look at our guide to spending two days on the Isle of Wight , as well as Jess’s guide to Queen Victoria sights on the Isle of Wight.

7. Newstead Abbey

In the heart of Nottinghamshire, Newstead Abbey is most famous for being the home of noted British poet Lord Byron. Originally though, as the name suggests, this was a religious building, home to a number of Augustinian monks. However, when Henry VIII decided to disband all the Catholic houses, including monasteries, the Abbey was handed over to the Byron family.

Lord Byron the poet inherited the property when it was badly in need of repair, and initially he lived in nearby Nottingham, using the grandly crumbling ruin as handy poetic inspiration.

Later, he moved into the property and did attempt various restorative works, but these were generally of an artistic nature rather than anything usefully structural, and so the property continued to decline, until it was finally bought in 1818 by someone with sufficient funds to restore it to some of its original glory.

Finally, after passing to various people, it was gifted to the city of Nottingham, and today it is owned and maintained by Nottingham City Council, and can be toured both inside and outside.

It’s a fascinating property to look at, as part of it is an old abbey ruin, with the house built onto the side of it. There are wonderful gardens to explore, including an American Garden, a Japanese Garden and a walled garden.

The tour of the property naturally focuses on its most famous resident, but there are plenty of tales about the property and its other owners that will fascinate you. All in all, a very worthwhile half day visit.

8. Apsley House

I appreciate that pretty much every house in this list requires a bit of effort to get to – either you’re going to have to find your own transport, or you’re going to have to book a tour. With that in mind, and in particular for those of you just visiting London, I wanted to give you an option that’s right on your doorstep – Apsley House.

Ok, so it’s not exactly a grand stately home, or a country house at all, but it’s impressive nonetheless, and will give you an idea at least of the aristocratic lifestyle if you don’t have time to head out of London, or want to visit somewhere that isn’t a Royal Palace.

This is on Hyde Park Corner, so it’s right in the heart of London, just around the corner from Buckingham Palace. It’s the family home of the Dukes of Wellington, and is a spectacular example of an aristocratic town house.

The house is still occupied by the Dukes of Wellington, however most of it is now open to the public and serves as a museum, primarily to the first Duke of Wellington, who famously defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest British military commanders in history.

Apsley House today houses a superb art collection, much of which was acquired as the spoils of war, as well as gifts from admirers around the world, which include paintings, sculptures, silver, porcelain and more. There’s an excellent audio guide which will take you around the house, which we definitely recommend.

Apsley House is operated by English Heritage . In terms of entry fees, it’s free to English Heritage members, those holding an English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass or you can pay a one-off ticket price.

It’s also included on the excellent London Pass – if you are planning on seeing a number of sights in London, then we can definitely recommend picking one of those up for your visit. Read Jess’s full review of the London Pass to see if it will save you money on your trip.

9. Baddesley Clinton

Baddesley Clinton is the only moated property on this list, which in my book, warrants its entry alone. Technically a manor house, Baddesley Clinton dates from the 13th century, and was the property of the Ferrer family for 12 generations before passing to the National Trust.

The house has seen its fair share of history, with particular note being the role it played during the Catholic persecutions of the 16th century. In particular, there are three “priest holes” in the property, where priests could hide to avoid capture.

There are also lovely gardens to explore and the property has notably beautiful stained glass windows. It’s definitely a little different to some of the other properties on this list, hence the inclusion.

Again, as a National Trust property, Baddesley Clinton is free to National Trust members and visitors with a National Trust touring pass . See more at the end of the post for saving money on entry to the properties on this list.

10. Attingham Park

Last, but by no means least on my ten favourite stately homes to visit in England is Attingham Park . This 18th century mansion and estate is the fourth most visited National Trust property in the UK, and when you visit you’ll quickly understand why.

Built in 1785, the building is imposing and impressive, with a huge main façade and two single storey wings jutting out from either side. The interior is equally grand and well maintained, with a marked difference between the “upstairs” and “downstairs” lifestyles on show.

When we visited we took a behind the scenes tour of the new picture gallery roof. This might not seem that exciting, but given the original was designed by John Nash (architect of Buckingham Palace, along with a great number of buildings of Regency London) using radical design technologies for the time, this turned out to be quite fascinating.

We also learnt about the history of the owners and occupants of the property – stories that involved romance, loss, ruin and restoration. So basically something for everyone!

Again, there’s enough here to do for at least half a day of exploring, and there’s an excellent café on site in the stable block. This is also a National Trust property – you know the drill by now in terms of how the pricing works.

Map of Stately Homes in England

The houses I’ve chosen are all around England, so I don’t expect you to be able to visit them all in one trip. I have two posts with suggested UK itineraries, and some of these houses could easily be added to either of those. You can see the two week UK itinerary here , and the one week UK itinerary here .

As a guide though, here’s a map showing all the locations of the Stately Homes in this post for quick reference.

Tours that Visit Stately Homes in England

As you can see from the map, the stately homes we have recommended are spread out across the country, meaning that if you don’t have your own transport, it can be challenging to reach them, even by public transport.

To help you get around this issue, we’ve found a number of tours that will get you to some of the properties on this list. Whilst not every home can be visited as part of a tour, the more popular and closer to London the property is, the greater the chance of their being a tour! Here are some tour options for you to consider:

• This private tour to Chartwell House from London, which includes round-trip transport from your hotel, entry fee to Chartwell, and a private guide and driver
• This full day tour of Highclere Castle from London, which includes your entry fee to Highclere Castle, as well as a number of other Downton Abbey filming locations
• This full day tour of Blenheim Palace , the Cotswolds, and some Downton Abbey filming locations, which also includes entry to Blenheim and an audioguide
• A 5 day tour of England and Wales from London, which includes Chatsworth House amongst many other locations!

As you can see, you have a few different options for visiting these stately homes, even if you don’t have your own transport.

Passes for Visiting Stately Homes in England

Many of the houses in this list are privately owned, and so have their own entry fees. Usually, it’s worth checking online at their official websites to see if they are running any offers – such as the free parking at Chatsworth if you book online.

A number of the other properties are part of national organisations such as the National Trust or English Heritage.

In those cases, if you are planning on visiting a number of properties operated by these organisations then you may be better off purchasing an annual membership instead of paying individual prices. You only need to visit a few properties in each case to make up the cost of membership.

You can buy an English Heritage Membership here and a National Trust membership here .

If you’re only visiting the UK for a shorter trip there are specific passes for visitors for both the National Trust and English Heritage, which represent great value for money for visitors.

For the National Trust you can pick up a National Trust touring pass . This is valid for 7 or 14 days, and gives you access to every National Trust property in the UK.

For English Heritage , you can get an English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass . This is valid for 9 or 16 days, and gives you access to every English Heritage property in the UK.

In addition, some overseas organisations have reciprocal arrangements with the National Trust and English Heritage – meaning if you are a member of an overseas organisation you may have free entry already.

You can see on their websites both the reciprocal arrangements and a full list of covered attractions. See those on the National Trust website here , and English Heritage here .

Finally, as already mentioned in the post, if you’re visiting London, then you can save a good pile of money by investing in a London Pass for your stay, which gives you access to a good many London attractions.

Further Reading

We’ve written a number of posts and guides to travel in the UK that you might find useful for planning a trip. We also have a number of books and online resources that you might find helpful, both related to Stately Homes, and general travel in the UK. Here they are:

• A Two Week UK itinerary & A One Week UK Itinerary
• A Two Day London Itinerary , as well as a Six Day London Itinerary
• The Best Photography Locations in London
• Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• Planning an Oxford day trip from London
• The Highlights of Oxford
• Visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds
• A Guide to Touring the Scottish Borders
• A Guide to visiting Stonehenge from London
• The Best Harry Potter Locations in London
• Black Diamonds – the tale of Wentworth Woodhouse
• England’s Thousand Best Houses – this should give you plenty of ideas for more places to visit!
• If you want a physical (or digital!) book to accompany your travels, then Amazon have a great selection. We recommend the Rick Steves England book , & the Lonely Planet Guide to get you started.

And that finishes up my post on some of my favourite Stately Homes to visit in England! Got a favourite you’d like to share, or any questions about the post? Let us know in the comments below!

Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!

There are 10 comments on this post

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Wilson Freda says

29th March 2020 at 4:35 am

Much grateful for useful suggestions for stately homes. I would be checking them out for visit and will let you know about my experience.

Laurence Norah says

29th March 2020 at 3:00 pm

My pleasure Wilson, enjoy!

victor says

16th January 2020 at 4:14 pm

wow, wonderful I have searching for tours specifically for all of these wonderful places, any suggestions with whom I can contact?

16th January 2020 at 4:16 pm

Hi Victor. Thanks very much. As a starting point I’d recommend reaching out to the companies I list in the tours section of the post to see what they can do for you. Some of these locations can definitely be visited by tour, but others are not usually included on tours, so you would have to create your own private tour.

12th January 2020 at 12:22 pm

Why is Castle Howard not on this list? It beats many of these places hands down.

12th January 2020 at 1:51 pm

Great point! It’s on our short list to visit, but we haven’t made it yet so it’s not on the list. But rest assured when we visit then we will definitely re-evaluate 🙂

Thanks for your comment

David A Hoyer Esq. says

21st April 2019 at 12:28 am

Chartwell House is certainly worth a visit, and you’d make an excellent day of touring Stately Homes by including the nearby Knole House, Igtham Mote (only about 10 and 16 miles from Chartwell, respectively) and if you have the time, Bateman’s (about 30 miles from the other 3 homes). These properties will give you the experience of everything from an absolutely enormous Stately Home full of antiques, period furnishings and a prominent family’s (Sackville-West) history (Knole House) to a moated Manor House built and expanded over six centuries (Igtham Manor) to a more modest Manor (Bateman’s) that was the home of Rudyard Kipling. Added to Chartwell, these properties will easily fill a day of viewing Manors, Mansions and Moated Manses. All are National Trust properties, so if you’re a member, you’ll have free entry, and all possess unique attributes that make visiting well worth the time. Igtham (pronounced like “item”) Mote was the most expensive renovation undertaken by the National Trust when it was begun. Knole House is so enormous that it can take you nearly an hour to walk through the open areas of the house, without stopping to look at all that’s on display – plus you’ll need another 20+ minutes to visit the Gatehouse Tower to see how Edward Sackville-West, 5th Earl of Sackville lived for part of his life. Chartwell, Knole House and Igtham Mote are all within about 15 miles of each other. Bateman’s sits about 30 miles south of the other three, but is great if you’re a Kipling fan.

21st April 2019 at 11:22 am

Thanks so much for this comment! We actually visited Igtham Mote quite recently and had a lovely walk through the countryside to an excellent pub as well 🙂 This would certainly make for a great day out.

srbmckenzie says

4th December 2016 at 10:18 am

For the film aficionados it’s also worth mentioning that Chatsworth was used as the interior filming for the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice!

Laurence says

5th December 2016 at 8:53 am

I did not know that! Thanks 😀

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Lifestyle | Travel

15 of the UK's most beautiful stately homes that you can visit

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There's no shortage of impressive, historic building in the UK - but there's something about stately homes that are extra special.

Wandering around getting as much interiors inspiration as possible, touring the rose and vegetable gardens and then having a slice of cake in the ground's cafe - it really is a hard activity to beat on a Sunday.

Below, we've listed 15 of the most spectacular stately homes from all over the country. The good news is, you can tour each one inside and out...

Polesden Lacey, Surrey, England

Polesden Lacey in Surrey has a long history of royal visitors. The Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), actually spent part of their honeymoon here in 1923. The hostess, Mrs Greville, also welcomed Edward VII and George V to the Edwardian retreat.

A grand estate - it’s not just the interiors that are impressive - Polesden Lacey is actually home to one of the first ever winter gardens , designed by the late English botanist Graham Stuart Thomas.

Throughout the cold season, the garden is bright with colour, with beds of yellow aconites beneath Persian Ironwood trees that produce blood red buds in winter. Try and visit either in late January or early February - you’ll see snowdrops blanketing the grounds and walkways.

Petworth, West Sussex, England

Petworth in the South Downs has arguably one of the best art collections of any stately home in the country. The state rooms teem with works by artists such as Van Dyck, Reynolds, Titian and Blake, alongside classical and neo-classical sculptures .

It was here, JMW Turner actually spent long periods of time under the patronage of the 3rd Earl of Egremont and his paintings of Petworth park are still on display there today.

With corridors that brim with gold gilded frames, this is one the most beautiful “galleries” in Southern England .

Tyntesfield, North Somerset, England

Just a stone’s throw from Bristol, Tyntesfield was not built as a bold and extravagant statement of wealth, power or politics. Its purpose was simple; to serve as a family home.

In 1843 however, The Gibbs family bought the house and transformed it into the Victorian Gothic Revival manor it is today.

Inside you’ll see an impressive gold-shelved library with an ornate, carved wooden ceiling as well as 43 bedrooms boasting an extravagant collection of Victorian furniture, paintings and porcelain but perhaps the most impressive site of the estate is the grand private chapel. Very few Victorians at the time had purpose built churches of their own so this really is one of a kind.

Saltram, Devon, England

Situated in a landscape park, Saltram overlooks the river Plym. The Georgian Mansion was the creation of the Parker family, who remodelled an earlier house to reflect their increasingly prominent position in society. The interiors are one of the finest of all stately homes in the UK with no decadence spared.

Wander through the house and you’ll see original Chinese wallpaper with figurines adorning the walls, mid-18th century Rococo cornices, marmoreal columns holding up gilded ceilings as well as an impressive collection of paintings (including several by Sir Joshua Reynolds).

Don’t forget to find and read the original correspondence between Frances, the first Countess of Morley, and Jane Austen.

This really is one house where it would be fatal to just buy the “grounds-only” ticket.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk, England

This breath-taking red-brick mansion evokes the classic idea of a British country manor. Surrounded by ancient yew hedges, it sits at the heart of a magnificent garden and historic park in the beautiful Bure meadows.

Spend a day exploring the labyrinth of rooms inside, from the grand interiors upstairs to the working quarters in the basement and after try and locate the estate’s secret garden.

Ickworth, Suffolk, England

A Georgian Italianate palace, Ickworth 's impressive Rotunda - a magnificent showcase commissioned by the 4th Earl of Bristol to house his treasures collected on tours of Europe during the 18th-century - is an architectural marvel.

For 200 years, the eccentric, and sometimes infamous, Hervey family added to the treasures inside and out, also creating the earliest Italianate garden in England.

Inside, it looks just like a costume drama set. The cards have been left on the Bridge table, the grand dining table is laid for formal dinner and the bedrooms are made up how they would have been.

Lyme, Cheshire, England

Set on the edge of the Peak District , Lyme was once home to the Legh family and, in its heyday, a great sporting estate.

Nowadays you might know it better as Pemberley from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. You’ll find the lake where Mr Darcy took a dip on the wider estate.

Attingham, Shropshire, England

Built for the first Lord Berwick in 1785, Attingham Hall and its parkland were owned by one family for more than 160 years. As their fortunes rose and fell, the house suffered golden ages and dark days.

You can see traces of the family story throughout the estate, from the flashy but flawed Picture Gallery roof that contributed to the bankruptcy of the second Lord Berwick, to the prized paintings of the cattle collected by the fifth Lord, and the contrasting ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ sides of the mansion.

Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire, England

Hanbury Hall was built in 1701 for a wealthy Chancery barrister, Thomas Vernon, as a country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire.

Designed in the “William-and-Mary style” - a style of decorative arts fashionable during the reign of William III and Mary II of England - Hanbury Hall was originally stage-set for summer parties.

Now it provides a glimpse into life at the turn of the eighteenth century. The striking dining room which is home to a large collection of family portraits and the family silver is impressive as are the Hercules suite of rooms which boasts the best view across the gardens.

Don't miss the original wall-paintings by Sir James Thornhill, particularly the mural of Olympian Gods and the story of Achilles which dominates the main staircase ceiling.

Erddig, Wrexham, Wales

Widely acclaimed as one of Britain's finest historic houses , Erddig is an early 18th century country house reflecting the upstairs-downstairs life of a gentry family over 250 years.

The upstairs rooms are a treasure trove of 19th-century furniture, including gilt pier-glasses, gilt girandoles and a State Bed as well as neo-classical textiles and wallpapers.

Several floors down though is where you can find Erddig's unique collection of servants' portraits. These were painted to celebrate loyalty, length of service as well as hard work. Today they represent a fairly rare kind of historical documentation.

Tredegar House, Duffryn, Wales

For more than 500 years Tredegar was home to one of the greatest Welsh families, the Morgans, who owned more than 40,000 acres in Wales at the end of the 18th century. There’s actually been a house on the site since medieval times, although most of the building as it stands now was constructed in the mid-17th century.

Inside you’ll find rooms decorated to represent various eras in the life of the house, from the 1600s-style Gilt room, that boasts intricate golden cornices and an impressive ceiling painting, to the 1930s bedrooms.

Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland

Previously the home of Edith, Lady Londonderry, 8 million pounds and three years later this neo-classical house has been restored to its 20th century glory.

A place where the likes of Sir Winston Churchill came to stay, it’s grand and lavish. The dining room is big enough to sit over 20 comfortably and around the table sits 22 Empire hand-embroidered chairs that were gifted to the family by the Congress of Vienna.

There’s a large black and white hall that holds historic armour and a white marble head of Helen of Troy by Antonio Canova - one of the leading sculptors of the age. Not the grandest but perhaps the best is the Pot Pourri room though. This is where Edith dried the flowers from the garden. Who doesn’t need a Pot Pourri room?

Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Stately and striking, Haddo House was designed in 1732 but underwent an opulent remodelling in the 1880s. Today the Georgian exterior is instantly recognisable with the clean elegance and swooping lines but inside the interior is strictly Victorian.

The house is surrounded by a terrace garden with a lavish herbaceous border and a verdant avenue of lime trees that leads to Haddo Country Park.

A colourful history, the estate was home to generations of the noble Gordons family but, during World War II, it temporarily became a maternity ward with over 1,200 babies born within its walls.

Last year, a 16th century masterpiece of the Virgin Mary believed to be the work of the Italian renaissance painter Raphael and worth around £20 million was actually ‘discovered’ at the property. You can now see it on display there.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion, Fife, Scotland

Previously a 17th-century house, in 1904, the owner Frederick Sharp, commissioned the prolific Scottish architect, Robert Lorimer, to transform it into an early-20th-century mansion.

When the Sharp family moved into Hill of Tarvit , they had electricity, telephones connecting each room and central heating.

Lorimer also designed the landscaped gardens, with formal lawns, yew hedging, flowering borders and a sunken rose garden which you can still walk around. The smell is hypnotic.

Newhailes , East Lothian, Scotland

Tour around this Palladian house and you’ll notice decorative details everywhere, from the gilded eagles over the drawing room windows to Chinese wallpaper and imposing Italian marble fireplaces.

Pass through the service corridor downstairs though and you’ll discover a contrasting, eerier world. The old kitchen and scullery were locked between the 1940s and the 90s, and it’s been left exactly as it was - abandoned workspaces from a bygone age.

In the grounds you’ll find an 18th-century tea house, a mysterious shell grotto and the Ladies’ Walk – an elevated promenade first constructed in the 1700s.

With help from the National Trust of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .

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6 London stately homes to explore

Why waste a wintry Sunday failing to get the fire going in your own boring house when you could be basking in the glow of a tremendous mantelpiece at one of these London statelies? These mansions, estates and mini-palaces all open their doors to the public from time to time and are the very definition of property porn. Because who wouldn't want to nose around in someone else's (extremely posh) house?

Eltham Palace

Part Tudor palace, part Thirties millionaire's mansion, Eltham boasts two completely different styles of decor. Our favourite room is the domed, art-deco entrance hall - we can just imagine the original owners, the Courtaulds, greeting guests galore for cocktails.

Open on Sundays throughout November and December. Adult tickets, £13.60. At Court Yard, Eltham, SE9 5QE

Fenton House

Lady Binning donated Fenton to the National Trust when she died in 1952, but not before packing it to the rafters with her collections of porcelain, Georgian furniture and 17th-century needlework. The 17th-century merchant's house is also famed for its walled gardens and 300-year-old orchard, which produces delicious apple-blossom honey.

Open only on selected dates, visit the website for details. Adult tickets, £8. At Hampstead Grove, NW3 6SP

Leighton House

Tile porn, anyone? The decor at Leighton House, former home of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, is fabulously full-on. The art collection is impressive too, with plenty of oils, drawings and sculptures by the former owner on display.

Open daily, except for Tuesdays. Adult tickets, £12. At 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ

Spencer House

We could really see ourselves at Spencer House, built from 1756 to 1766 for the 1st Earl Spencer, an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales. We'd take tea in the Morning Room, swing from the chandeliers in the gilded Palm Room (pictured) or just lay on the floor and look at the mosaic ceiling in Lady Spencer's drawing room.

Eight state rooms are open for viewing on Sundays, in guided-tour groups (10.30am-4.30pm). Adult tickets, £12. Also available for event hire. At 27 St James's Place, SW1A 1NR

Kenwood House

The neoclassical villa is a beauty, its pastel-coloured Great Library being the most photogenic of the 30-plus rooms. Kenwood's had some cracking inhabitants in its 400-year history, from the 1st Earl of Mansfield to the 1st Earl of Iveagh, who decided it should be left for the public to enjoy in 1927.

Open daily (free entry). At Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR

Osterley Park

Want more domed ceilings, more delicate friezes and more classical artworks? Head to Osterley, the neoclassical mansion built by Sir Thomas Gresham in the 1570s, and revamped by architect Robert Adam in the 1780s, for the Child family to entertain their friends. We'd have a Tapestry Room in our house too if we could.

Open Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. Adult tickets, £10.40. At Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB

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Living the dream: Britain’s most magical stately homes

Britain’s stately homes are nearly always grand and impressive. Built by aristocratic families over the centuries, these mansions feature remarkable architecture and lavish decor. Every ornate corner is rammed with art and antiques to rival even the best museums. And these impressive manor houses often double up as hosts for festivals, concerts, markets and fancy-dress events, while others have become opulent hotels. If you fancy an extravagant lunch at the real Downton Abbey or live music at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, here’s how to enjoy the full panoply of Britain’s stately treasures.

Britain’s most magical stately homes

Love the finer things in life? Why not live the life of a lord or lady and stay overnight in one of Britain’s many historic homes? Many grandiose piles such as Cliveden in Berkshire, Bodysgallen Hall in Wales, and Wiltshire’s Lucknam Park are now lavish hotels. 

VisitBritain

Chatsworth House and Gardens, Derbyshire

Chatsworth House is a work of art fit for a painting. Beyond its frescoed ceilings and priceless antiques and tapestries, this vast Derbyshire estate is rammed with things to do, from jazz concerts and craft workshops to art trails that lace through its manicured gardens. And that’s not all: It’s also the site of a working farm that features everything from home-grown fodder to frolicking lambs.

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Bodrhyddan Hall, Denbighshire

Bodrhyddan Hall   is chock-full of fascinating things, from armour to fine art and portraits and even a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy and a sarcophagus. On top of all that, you can experience classic car rallies, thrilling battle re-enactments and pop-up markets, ensuring this 17th-century home is full of life. And for the full experience check out its beautifully restored Castle Gates holiday cottage half an hour’s walk away.

The Abbotsford Trust

Abbotsford, Scottish Borders

With its sprawling mansion and great rambling woodlands, this Melrose estate was the 19th-century home of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most prolific writers. It celebrates his legacy with theatre shows and live concerts. How will Abbotsford inspire you?

VisitBritain/Anastasia Ustenikova

Highclere Castle, Berkshire

You’ll recognise Highclere Castle as the ‘real’ Downton Abbey – but did you know that it also holds fancy dress events, star-studded festivals, afternoon teas, and has its very own gin? London Lodge, its 200-year-old gatehouse, has even been turned into a holiday cottage, with views over Highclere’s glorious grounds.

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Lyme Park, Cheshire

If you like your history wrapped in beautiful nature, head to Lyme Park . This 16th-century mansion is enveloped by moorland, gardens and a 1,400-acre deer estate. Set on the edge of the scenic Peak District National Park, its spectacular setting is perfect for long strolls, picnics and its sociable five kilometre parkrun (every Saturday).

VisitBritain/Aimee Bracken

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

With more than 300 years of history, art and architecture to explore, Blenheim Palace has a lot to offer. The birthplace of Winston Churchill, this year-round cultural hotspot offers festivals and concerts, cinema screenings and more. At Christmas it transforms into a winter wonderland as its extensive gardens glow with twinkling light trails.

Britain’s better-known stately homes

Castle howard, north yorkshire.

A remarkable pile that’s been in the Howard family for more than 300 years.

Castle Howard/Nick Howard

Longleat House, Wiltshire

Impressive Elizabethan mansion with landscaped gardens in the grounds of the famous Longleat Safari Park.

liammundayphotography

Mount Stuart, Bute

Victorian innovation strikes through this house from the world’s first heated pool to the first passenger lift.

Mount Stuart

Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

A quirky country pile on the site of a former 13th-century nunnery and the set for Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter.

Elizabethan Grade I pile on the edge of the Peak District surrounded by 1,400 acres of land, gardens and deer park.

Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire

Part baroque, part Georgian, this South Yorkshire gem has the longest facade of any stately home in Britain.

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Sandringham Estate

This royal residence is open to visitors, with tours offering afternoon tea, Land Rover safaris and more.

@nuriatravels

Blenheim Palace

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Chatsworth House

One of Britain’s grandest stately homes, the beautiful Chatsworth House sits in a 1,000-acre park in the Peak District.

Britain’s lesser-known stately homes

Abbotsford, borders.

The gothic-style stately home of Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.

Bodrhyddan Hall, north Wales

Set over hundreds of acres of north Wales countryside, with stunning gardens and a 3,000-year-old mummy.

Stonor Park, Chiltern Hills

Explore the grand historic house, formal gardens and enchanting woodland playground of Stonor Park.

Stonor Park

Goodwood House

This stately home boasts Regency opulence and a serene alternative to the high-octane Goodwood race track nearby.

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Buscot Park

Enjoy the grandeur of Buscot Park alongside the peaceful gardens and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Kenwood House

A hidden London gem, filled with landscaped gardens, beautiful interiors and world-class art.

Doddington Hall

Visit this Elizabethan mansion, home to a beautiful hall, blooming gardens, cycle routes, and a rewilding project set to increase wildlife and biodiversity in the area.

Visit Lincoln

Blickling Estate

Explore the vast estate by cycling or walking, with woodlands and grasslands allowing you to escape into nature.

National Trust Images/Rob Coleman

Ashton Court Estate

This impressive stately home isn’t just full of history – it has mountain biking, orienteering and golf courses too.

Bowhill House

Discover priceless artworks, exquisite antiques and beautiful grounds at this impressive stately home in Selkirk.

Euan Myles/Bowhill House

Chavenage House: Poldark

This 16th-century manor starred in the hit TV series, as ‘Trenwith’ – the Poldarks’ family home.

Robert Viglasky Photography/Chavenage House/Cotsowlds Tourism

Harewood House

This spectacular home starred as Princess Mary’s residence in the Downton Abbey film – and now hosts private tours and festivals.

VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

Dunham Massey Hall and Gardens

This 18th-century house is surrounded by magnificent gardens, wild woodlands and a deer-filled park.

National Trust/Nick Meers

Wollaton Hall

Calling all Batman fans! Welcome to ‘Wayne Manor’, where the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises was filmed.

tomoprice/wollatonhall

Haddon Hall

This magnificent medieval and Tudor residence hosts live music, seasonal festivals, craft markets and more.

Peak District

Petworth House

Wander around the magnificent Petworth House, with its art treasures and 700-acre deer park in the South Downs.

National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

South Downs

Castle Drogo

Visit the last castle to be built in Britain, with the rugged Dartmoor tors that surround it.

National Trust Images/James Dob

Wilton House

A period drama lover's paradise, Wilton House has set the scene for Bridgerton, The Crown and Emma.

Dorney Court

You might recognise this Tudor house: it has appeared in Bridgerton, Midsomer Murders and more.

Combining award-winning grounds by Capability Brown with one of the most impressive mansions from Jacobean England, history comes to life at Audley End.

Visit East of England

Saffron Walden, England

Holkham Hall

An action-packed day out with bike hire, boat rides, treetop rope courses, walled gardens and a vineyard – all before you even get inside the 18th-century house.

Holkham, England

Regal sleeps: Where to stay like a lord or lady

VisitBritain/Pete Seaward

Noble neighbours

Britain’s stately homes sit in some special locations such as Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire’s glorious Woodstock , or Mount Stuart on Scotland’s peaceful Isle of Bute . When planning your visit, why not extend your stay at a nearby town or village, and bask in its beautiful surroundings.

Culdees Estate

Grand glamping

Want to live the highlife without breaking the bank? Many of Britain’s heritage homes have transformed their gardens into glamping and camping sites. Explore Culdees Castle Estate in Perthshire and Raynham Estate in Norfolk.

VisitBritain/Tomo Brejc

Posh property

From cute cottages to entire ‘wings’ of a stately home, some of Britain’s stately properties offer self-catering accommodation in their grounds. Check out Longleat House , Chatsworth House and Gloucestershire’s Horton Court – which you might recognise from Poldark and Wolf Hall .

tr_howard/theladyracer/clivenhouse/proverbskin

Historic hotels

Britain’s country house hotels are as impressive as they are handsome. Stay in the likes of Cliveden , Bowood House , Luton Hoo and Goodwood – which not only boast incredible architecture and heritage, but also excellent top-notch menus and attentive service. A truly unforgettable way to immerse yourself in history.

Stately stays for a luxurious break

Moor hall (2 michelin stars).

Dine at the two-Michelin starred restaurant where the menu boasts the finest seasonal and local produce celebrating the bounty of Lancashire.

Mark Bristol

Kingsknowes Hotel

With its acclaimed restaurant and beautiful suites, this stately hotel celebrates the finer things in life.

Kingsnowes Hotel

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel

With chef Raymond Blanc OBE at the helm, this superb hotel and restaurant has two Michelin stars.

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons / Chris Terry

Archerfield House

Fletcher’s Cottage, the spa at this luxury hotel, is a sanctuary of rest and relaxation.

Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

Tuck into seasonal dishes and locally made wines, or sharpen your skills in the cookery school.

Burley Manor

If you love understated luxury, quirky design and excellent food, you’ll adore this historic manor house.

burleymanor

Balmer Lawn Hotel

This four-star retreat features a spa, thermal suite, outdoor swimming pool and two excellent restaurants.

iloveouseburn

Bodysgallen Hall

Retreat to this fabulous spa hotel, set on 200 acres of wild Welsh estate and gardens.

©National Trust Images/Chris Lac

Explore a stately home that doubles as a luxury hotel.

VisitBritain/LifewithBugo

Discover Britain’s heritage highlights

Explore britain’s most spectacular castles.

Explore the UK's famous royal castles in VisitBritain's castle guide. Beyond tours and exhibitions, there are lots of ways to get hands-on with history.

VisitBritain/Yin Sun Photography

Experience Britain’s top heritage sites

From medieval Edinburgh to Georgian Bath, Britain is full of cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa

Britain’s most haunted places – and how to explore them

Dare you visit our darkest, most haunted corners? From playful poltergeists to headless queens, Britain’s brimming with ghosts.

Not found what you were looking for?

11 Amazing Historic Houses in London

Exploring england, scotland, and wales.

In an earlier article I looked at 10 Beautiful Stately Homes within easy reach of London , but did you realise that there are dozens of historic houses inside the M25?

Many of these historic places were built as rural retreats, a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of life in central London, but over time the city grew larger and enveloped the country estates on its borders, leaving many stately homes stranded as small islands in a sea of urban surroundings.

The historic houses on this list are easily reached by public transport, but many are set in large gardens and grounds.

This article was going to be just the top 10 historic houses in London, but after agonising over my final choice I gave up and added one more to make it a top 11 list instead! So without further ado, here are our 11 favourite historic houses in London - plus a few alternatives that didn't quite make the final cut.

Was the Gunpowder Plot hatched at Eastbury Manor House in Upney? So says a local tradition supported by the author Daniel Defoe . Eastbury is a delightful Elizabethan Manor house. Another tradition says that the house is haunted by the ghost of a young girl.

We are on firmer historical ground when it comes to the history of Eastbury Manor. The estate was owned by Barking Abbey in the 14th century but after Henry VIII suppressed the abbey Eastbury was sold to a wealthy merchant named Clement Sysley.

In 1557 Sysley built the red-brick manor house we see today. Highlights include the Painted Room, which boasts a fabulous 16th-century wall painting of a fishing scene. Then there is the Long Gallery with its original Tudor fireplace and the Summer Parlour, still with its Tudor door.

The manor house is owned by the National Trust but leased by the Barking Borough Council.

Nearest underground station: Upney

This delightful complex of historic buildings on the River Thames has been the country residence of the Bishop of London since the 11th century, though the Bishops have owned the estate since around 700 AD. The Palace boasts the longest moat in England and is set in superb 17th-century gardens. It was here that Bishop Henry Compton grew the first coffee tree in England sometime after 1675.

Occupying a suite of Georgian rooms in the Palace is a fascinating museum that tells the story of the Bishops of London and the development of Fulham Palace, and displays a wealth of objects including pieces of medieval stained glass, craved fragments from the Palace, Roman coins and other archaeological finds from the site.

Visitors can enjoy the Tudor great hall, the Victorian chapel, and the 16th-century entrance courtyard. Many of the Bishops of London are buried in Fulham All Saints Church , just outside the Palace grounds.

Nearest underground station: Putney Bridge

This delightful Stuart mansion of red brick stands on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. Ham House was built in 1610 and later the home of the Earl of Dysart, who served in his youth as Charles I's whipping boy (whenever the king-to-be transgressed, Dysart received the punishment on his behalf).

When the two men grew up Charles showed his gratitude by giving Dysart a lease on Ham House, which was then a rural retreat on the edge of London. The Earl's daughter Elizabeth successfully navigated the Civil War period by appearing to support Parliament whilst secretly sending messages to Charles II in exile abroad. She was given Ham House outright when the monarchy was restored after the war.

Elizabeth married John Maitland, the Duke of Lauderdale and together they transformed Ham House into one of the most beautiful and luxurious Restoration houses in England. They created a showpiece home, filled with fine art and furniture and set in superb formal gardens. Look for the Bath Room, one of the very first purpose-built rooms for bathing in England.

The Duchess of Lauderdale is said to haunt Ham House, and she is joined by a plethora of other spectral beings, making Ham House among the most haunted houses in Britain.

Nearest underground station: Richmond

Syon stands on the north bank of the River Thames in Brentford. It began as a 15th-century nunnery of the Brigittine order, but after the nunnery was suppressed by Henry VIII the estate passed to the powerful and ambitious Duke of Somerset.

The Duke transformed the earlier monastic buildings into a palatial house in Italianate style, but after his abrupt fall from power in 1552 Syon was seized by his rival the Duke of Northumberland. It was here at Syon that Lady Jane Grey was offered the crown of England following Edward VI's death.

Like his great rival the Duke of Somerset, the Duke of Northumberland's schemes came to nothing and he too was executed for treason. The house was eventually purchased by Henry Percy, the 9th Earl of Northumberland, and the Percy family still own it today.

In 1766 a descendant of the 9th Earl was named the 1st Duke of Northumberland. He called upon Robert Adam , the greatest country house architect of the day to transform the interiors of Syon. The result is a masterpiece, a stunning neo-classical arrangement of rooms built off an awe-inspiring entrance hall dominated by the iconic statue of The Dying Gaul.

The house stands in 200 acres of parkland laid out by Capability Brown , with 40 acres of garden and n ornamental lake. A later addition was the Great Conservatory, an astonishing building of metal and glass erected in 1831.

Queen Victoria knew the Great Conservatory well. She spent six years at Syon after the 3rd Duchess was named as her Governess.

Sleeps: 22 From: £2,309

Sleeps: 22 From: £3,759

Sleeps: 16 From: £1,595

This delightful little Palladian villa on the bank of the River Thames in Twickenham was built in 1724 for Henrietta Howard, mistress of George II. Poet Alexander Pope helped design the 66-acre garden along with the famous landscape architect William Kent .

Mrs Howard was a noted society hostess and a friend of many of the most learned scholars in Britain. Marble Hill House was intended as a place to entertain small groups of these friends, who gathered in the Great Room on the first floor. The interiors are luxurious and elegant, beautifully furnished with fine art and furniture. look for the hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in the dining room.

Outside the gardens is a secret grotto decorated with coloured glass, painted shells, and pieces of coral. Nearby, half-hidden in the shrubbery, is an 18th-century ice house, used to refrigerate perishable goods in the days before refrigerators.

When Marble Hill House was built in the early 18th century the stretch of the Thames between Richmond and Hampton Court Palace was lined with similar fashionable villas. Marble Hill House is the last one remaining and is a picturesque reminder of a bygone age.

Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, was one of the most famous figures in 18th-century British art, architecture and landscape gardening, yet most people have never heard of him. Lord Burlington was fascinated by the classical art and architecture that he encountered on his Grand Tour of Europe.

When he returned to Britain he decided to create his own version of a Palladian villa in Chiswick, which was then a rural area within easy reach of London. Burlington acted as his own architect and created an astonishing neo-classical masterpiece, mixing Greek and Roman design under a dome modelled n the Pantheon in Rome.

The result is unlike any other English building before or since, and it is stunning. Chiswick House had no kitchen, so it obviously wasn't meant as a residence. It was, rather, a space for entertaining, with a picture gallery, library, and rooms intended to show off Burlington's art collection.

Lord Burlington extended his vision to include the landscaped gardens that surround the house. Within the gardens are statues, obelisks, neo-classical temples, water features such as a canal, cascade, and pond, and a semi-circular Excedra, a curving hedge decorated with statues of Caesar, Cicero, and Pompey.

Lord Burlington's gardens at Chiswick House set the standard for English landscape gardens popularised by Capability Brown and his followers just as his neo-classical design of the house was the forerunner of country house design for at least the next century. It is impossible to overstate the influence of what Burlington accomplished at Chiswick House.

Nearest underground station: Turnham Green

Forty Hall is a beautiful red-brick mansion built in 1629 for Nicholas Rainton, a wealthy merchant who rose to become Lord Mayor of London. In the early 17th century this area of Ealing was a countryside retreat, far from the noise and bustle of London. Rainton made a fortune importing buttons, bows and other clothing decoration, and decided to build a house to reflect his wealth and social standing.

Here he entertained the great and the god of London society. Rainton was a Royalist, but he was also a man of principle, so when Charles I asked him to help raise extraordinary taxes from wealthy London merchants, Rainton refused and was thrown into the Tower of London. The public outcry was so great that the king was forced to release him.

Forty Hall is now a museum for the Borough of Enfield, who use the beautiful 17th and 18th-century rooms to showcase a changing programme of exhibits on local history.

The Hall features beautiful Jacobean plasterwork ceilings, ornately decorated fireplaces and fabulous architectural detailing. In the grounds is a small walled garden where you can see a recreated medieval knot garden flanked by red and white roses as a reminder of the Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Barnet, which took place near Enfield in 1471.

Also in the grounds of Forty Hall are the remains of Elyng Palace, once owned by Henry VIII. It was here at Elyng Palace that Prince Edward, soon to become Edward VI, and his elder sister Elizabeth, later to become Elizabeth I, heard the news of Henry's death.

Nearest underground station: Oakwood (3 miles). London Overground from Enfield Town, Enfield Chase or Southbury then 191 bus to Forty Hill.

Kenwood House is a stunning stately home designed by Robert Adam from 1764. The house stands in beautiful parkland in the northern part of Hampstead Heath .

The first house at Kenwood was built by William Brydges around 1694, but around 1764 William Murray decided to remodel the old house and create a villa for occasional entertaining. Murray, later named the 1st Earl of Mansfield, gave his architect free reign, and the result is one of 18th century England's greatest historic houses.

Adam had a hand in the layout of the parkland, too, with carefully designed vistas to Greenwich and the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in the distance (though the surrounding trees now obscure some of the views).

Murray was forced to make Kenwood his main residence after rioters burned his London house during the Gordon Riots of 1780.

Today the house is used as a public art gallery, with works by such artists as Gainsborough , Vermeer, and Angelica Kauffman. The most valuable piece of art on display is a self-portrait by Rembrandt.

Nearest underground station: Highgate

From Kenwood to another of Robert Adam's masterpieces, Osterley Park in Hounslow. This stunning 1761 house was designed for the founder of Childs Bank on the site of a Tudor mansion. The 16th-century stables still survive but the rest is pure Adam, with opulent rooms in neo-classical style.

The highlight is the Etruscan dressing room, inspired by Etruscan vases from the collections of Sir William Hamilton. Adam designed not only the decoration but also the domed state bed. A delightful story says that when Child got Adam's bill for the state bed he tore it up so that no one would ever discover how much he had paid!

The house is full of fine art and furniture, ceramics, glassware and tapestries.

Adam's interiors remain practically untouched, making Osterley Park one of the best examples of an unaltered 18th-century stately home in Britain. Adam also had a hand in the 6 acres of gardens that surround the house, including a neo-classical summerhouse. Look for the Temple of Flora, another neo-classical garden feature.

Nearest underground station: Osterley

Though Kensington Palace is best known for its role as a royal palace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, this elegant red-brick house on the edge of Kensington Park began as a simple 2 storey house built in 1605 for Sir George Coppin. When Coppin built his house Kensington was little but farmland, far from the noise and squalor of central London.

In 1689 King William III bought Kensington House as a country retreat - an escape from the pressures court life and a place far enough from the River Thames to ease his asthma. Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor transformed the house into a residence suitable for a monarch, but very much favouring comfort over prestige.

The Palace was expanded by William Kent for George I in 1722. Kent designed a suite of lavish state rooms; the Privy Chamber, Cupola Room, and King's Drawing Room. He also created the astonishing King's Staircase, with its extravagant gilded ceiling and trompe l'oeil Italianate wall paintings.

George II was the last monarch to live at Kensington Palace. After his time the Palace was used as a residence for members of the royal family. One famous resident was Diana, Princess of Wales.

Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace and spent much of her childhood here. Kent's Dressing Room and Queen Victoria's Bedroom have been redecorated to reflect how they might have looked when Victoria grew up at Kensington in the 1830s. The State apartments are stunning, but for me, the most impressive part of the Palace is the Cupola Room, with its remarkable gilded ceiling and chandelier.

Nearest underground station: High Street Kensington

Around 1338 the Knights Hospitaller of St John built a house at Hampton, a rural village on the River Thames. In 1514 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey bought the estate and began to build an opulent residence suitable for the most powerful man in the kingdom after the king himself.

Wolsey added a suite of ornate rooms to entertain the king and his court, and here at Hampton Court he lived like a king himself. Wolsey spared no expense; he hung the walls with hundreds of expensive tapestries, which were changed every week.

But Wolsey was dependent on keeping the king's favour, and when the king cast a covetous eye on Hampton Court Palace Wolsey found it expedient to offer it to Henry. The king spent even more money on the Palace, adding luxurious quarters for his second wife, Anne Boleyn, royal council chambers, a great hall, and royal kitchens.

He built private quarters with hot and cold running water - an extraordinary luxury for the time - a real tennis court and two bowling alleys. Another Tudor legacy is the ghost of Catherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife, who is said to linger in the Haunted Gallery.

The Tudor palace was transformed under William and Mary when Sir Christopher Wren was called in to remodel the Tudor palace in Baroque style that would rival Versailles Palace in France. Perhaps the most impressive part of this second phase of building at Hampton Court is the King's Staircase, featuring fabulous murals in classical style by Antonio Verrio.

Though the Palace interiors are worth exploring, don't miss the gardens! Behind the King's Apartments is the Great Fountain Garden, designed in 1689 out of Henry VIII's hunting park. Near the Privy Garden (a private garden for the monarch) is a greenhouse housing The Great Vine, planted by Capability Brown in 1768 and the oldest known vine in the world. Then there is The Maze, the oldest hedge maze in the world, planted in 1700 and immortalised in Jerome K Jerome's popular novel ' Three Men in a Boat '.

Nearest underground station: Richmond (4 miles). Far better is London Overground to Hampton Court.

Honourable Mention Ooh, it was hard to eliminate these four wonderful houses but I couldn't finish without mentioning them. First up is Spencer House , overlooking Green Park just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace. This elegant house has been the London home of the Spencer family of Althorp Park for hundreds of years. What a location!

Then there is Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, designed by the Regency architect Sir John Soane. In Brentford is lovely Boston Manor , a lovely Jacobean house created in 1623 and featuring superb Jacobean strapwork ceilings.

In Acton Town is Gunnersbury Park , a Regency-style stately home once owned by the Rothschild banking family. The house sits in historic grounds including an 18th-century neo-classical temple and a 19th-century orangery.

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10 of the uk’s best stately homes.

Opulent, palatial and steeped in history, Britain’s stately homes have hosted all manner of illustrious guests, from royalty to prime ministers. Lose yourself in the splendid surroundings and glorious gardens of one of these architectural jewels.

Castle Howard, North Yorkshire

In the brooding landscape of North Yorkshire lies this grand house and estate, which was made famous in the TV series, Brideshead Revisited . Step inside to see a magnificent art collection that includes ancient sculptures, Old Masters and paintings by Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds. The Chapel was originally intended to be a dining room before it was redecorated, with designs by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. You may even catch evensong or hear organ practice taking place. Visit the walled garden, with its ornamental vegetable patch, and the romantic rose garden, where 2,000 varieties make the air smell heavenly. Little ones will love taking part in a scavenger hunt, where they can track down statues scattered around the property. Once they’ve worked up an appetite, have a picnic by the lake in front of the imposing Atlas Fountain. www.castlehoward.co.uk

Best for: Art historians

Highclere Castle, Berkshire

Fans of Downton Abbey will be familiar with Highclere Castle, the Grade I-listed country house which provided the backdrop for the TV hit. Set in vast swathes of Capability Brown gardens and countryside, Highclere has been the county seat of the Earls of Carnarvon for centuries. The fifth Earl of Carnarvon, along with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1922. A visit to the Egyptian exhibition, located in the castle’s cellars, is a must if you want to see a mesmerising replica of the sarcophagus.   The castle itself has between 250 and 300 rooms; you won’t see them all but you’ll certainly see the staterooms immortalised in Downton Abbey on a guided tour. Outside, the gardens are rich with roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, cedar trees and acers. You can admire them from one of the six 18th-century follies (places built for people to enjoy the views): the Temple of Diana overlooks a lake and is particularly charming. www.highclerecastle.co.uk

Best for: fans of Downton Abbey.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Take a tour of this Baroque palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and you’ll experience a sensory overload. The entrance hall is just a sign of things to come. The spectacular 67ft painted ceiling was commissioned centuries ago. Inside, the walls of the staterooms drip with priceless paintings, tapestries and sculptures, while the Long Library is home to a magnificent Willis organ and has shelves lined with more than 10,000 books. Elsewhere, you can discover more about wartime prime minister Churchill in an exhibition that uses historical artefacts and cutting-edge technology to bring his story to life. Surrounding the palace are the formal gardens, including the delightful water terraces, the kitchen garden and the butterfly house. Children will love running through the Marlborough maze, which is two miles in length and made up of hundreds of yew trees. Climb aboard the dinky miniature train to reach it in the walled gardens. Even better, there’s a pizza café waiting for you once you’ve managed to escape the maze. www.blenheimpalace.com

Best for: Military historians

Blickling Hall, Norfolk

This grand Jacobean residence is home to one of history’s most famous phantoms: Anne Boleyn. An older medieval manor, which is believed to have been her birthplace, once stood here. You may not spot Boleyn on your visit, but you will set eyes on priceless treasures and artworks. Look out for the fireplace decorated with sublime carved angels in the Brown Drawing Room. The Long Room, meanwhile, was turned into a library in 1745, after a distant relative bequeathed 10,000 books to the family. It’s an impressive sight. Little ones won’t get bored. Play hide-and-seek in the two secret tunnels in the gardens. The bigger tunnel has tree-stump seats if you fancy a picnic. And a stroll along the Acre is a must for beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding lime trees. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate

Best for: regal ghost hunters

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Nestled in the Derbyshire Dales, majestic Chatsworth House has been in the hands of the Cavendish family for 16 generations. You may be familiar with it – it stood in as Pemberley House in the 2005 film version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . The interior is full of priceless works of art spanning 4,000 years, and plush furnishings. There’s plenty on offer to keep youngsters happy too. Meet cows and goats in the farmyard, take part in arts and crafts activities and explore 105 acres of gardens. There’s also a woodland playground with trampoline slides, sandpits and ropes to climb. Check ahead as some parts of the playground are being refurbished. Look out for Little Pips Gardening Club, which takes place on selected dates. Children can learn how to plant seeds and grow fruit and vegetables, as well as make a butterfly feeding station and a wormer. www.chatsworth.org

Best for: Families

Montacute House, Somerset

It’s hard to believe that this magnificent Elizabeth Renaissance house was nearly lost after being sold ‘for scrap’. Fortunately, the National Trust rescued it in 1913 so you can still appreciate its towering walls of glass, sparkling stained-glass windows and lush tapestries. Stroll through the Long Gallery where people would once meet to socialise and exercise if the weather was too uninviting. Its walls are full of rare artworks, both oils and watercolours. Many of which are on loan from London’s National Portrait Gallery . The surrounding parkland is perfect for a brisk walk, where you’ll stumble across sheep and cows. The Orchard Lawn is a great place to let kids run off steam, before heading for the Cedar Lawn, used as a bowling green in the 19th century, to enjoy a picnic and a game of boules or croquet in the lush surroundings. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

Best for: Horticulturists

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,’ said Queen Victoria of her Isle of Wight holiday home. Today’s visitors to Osborne House, built in 1845, will find little has changed since Victoria and her beloved Albert spent their summers here. You could easily spend a day here. The house itself is full of atmosphere. You can see Victoria’s balcony where she would listen to nightingales sing on a summer evening. There’s much to do in the glorious gardens, which teem with tulips in spring. Visit the Ice House, where food was stored in the days before electricity. Swiss Cottage is a miniature Apline-style chalet where the nine royal children spent sunny days gardening, fossil hunting and playing on a scaled-down fort. Follow in their footsteps along a wildlife trail to the private bathing beach the royal family cherished. Paddle in the sea, watch a Punch and Judy show, then sit on the sand and gaze at the Solent. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/

Best for: Beach lovers

Castle Ward, County Down

Set among the lush greenery of Northern Ireland’s County Down, and overlooking the blue waters of Strangford Lough, this unique 18th-century mansion is known for its Gothic and classical Palladian architecture. While designing the property, Bernard Ward and his wife Lady Anne fell out over the architectural plans. So, as well as the outside of the mansion displaying different building styles, the interiors clash too. Wander around inside and admire the antiquities, then head to the landscaped gardens. Visit the Victorian laundry and working corn mill, and explore the 13km boundary trail. Later, you can relax over a hot drink in the tea room and browse in the second-hand bookshop. If you want to make a holiday of it, you can hire camping pods – cosy wooden ‘nests’ (with most mod cons) set in the woodlands close to the lough. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward

Best for: Architecture buffs

Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire

This house has appeared in everything from Batman , Paddington and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to The Crown , Bridgerton and even a Jonas Brothers music video! Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood here. In 1558, the then-Lady Elizabeth Tudor was sitting beneath an apple tree when she received the news that she was now Queen of England. Among the priceless works of art you can admire in the house is the iconic Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I. Once you’ve explored inside, head outdoors to the scented and herb gardens, acres of parkland and picturesque lake. The maze will keep kids on their toes. You may even spot one of Hatfield’s otherworldly residents: a veiled lady and a spectral coach that’s led by ghostly horses. You have been warned… www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Best for: Pop-culture fans

Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire

You won’t visit anywhere more atmospheric than a centuries-old manor house protected by a moat. Discover how the building survived the Civil War and Oliver Cromwell and provided safety for Catholic priests in the 1500s. You can see the ingenious priest holes, secret passages used to hide the priests from the authorities. One could hold up to six people! The Great Hall is dominated by a gigantic stone chimneypiece. Look up, too, at the windows – in the 1500s, Henry Ferrers began the tradition of installing stained glass to represent his family’s coat of arms. They sparkle on a sunny day. Learn about the Ferrers family, who owned the house for 500 years, through documents, artworks and artefacts on display. The gardens are gorgeous all year round: think fish ponds, fruit trees, climbing wisterias and woodland nature trails. There’s a restaurant in the Barn Yard, where you can grab a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton

Best for: Historians

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Stately Homes and Historic Houses to Visit in London

From Tudor dwellings to regal residencies, London is home to an extraordinary variety of historic houses perfect for weekend

Hampton Court Palace

Take a trip in time to the favourite royal residence of Henry VIII; marvel at the magnificent Great Hall and see what’s cooking in the kitchens. The breath-taking grandeur of this Tudor playground is equalled by more than 60 acres of gardens, a famous maze, Tudor indoor tennis court and bustling Base Court. A day out at this historic home is many visits in one; even after the Tudors had run out of heirs, royal life continued. Shakespeare put on a Christmas season of theatre for King James here and later, William and Mary and the Georgian kings built their own additions to the already magnificent Palace.

Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4:30pm Price: from £9.90 Nearest station: Hampton Court

hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace

Nestled on the pleasant stretch of Thames between Richmond and Twickenham, few buildings have a better sitting than Ham House. 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. Now administered by the National Trust, you’ll find a dazzling cavalcade of period furniture and paintings.

Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4:15pm Price: from £10 Nearest station: Richmond

nationaltrust.org.uk

Spencer House

Recognised as one of the most sumptuous private residences ever built in London, Spencer House is the Capital’s finest surviving eighteenth century house. Eight gorgeously restored rooms of this aristocratic palace are open to public gallivanting, with a showcase of paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, objets d’art and exquisite furniture.

Opening times: Sundays, 10am-4:30pm Price: from £5.20 Nearest station: Green Park

spencerhouse.co.uk

Tower of London

Originally built in 1299 as the palace of Edward I, this historic stronghold has a grim reputation as a dwelling of torture and death. But don’t be deterred; these walls are steeped in the history of its chequered past, from royal palace to armoury; powerful fortress and London’s first zoo. Discover the priceless Crown Jewels, stand where royal heads have rolled and learn the legend of the ravens; there is plenty to discover behind these timeworn walls. Opening times: Tues-Sat, 9am-4:30pm, Sun-Mon, 10am-4:30pm Price: from £10.50 Nearest station: Tower Hill

hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

Strawberry Hill House

The charming sugar cube veneer of Strawberry Hill meant that it was already a tourist site in its own day and has survived as such into ours. It began life in 1698 as a modest house and was later transformed by Horace Walpole, the son of England’s first Prime Minister, into Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture and interior. 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. Opening times: House Sat-Sun, 12-5:30pm | Garden Mon-Sun 10am-5:30pm Price: from £5.40 Nearest station: Strawberry Hill

strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

Two Temple Place

This late Victorian mansion is one of London’s hidden architectural gems. Built in 1895, as the estate office of William Waldorf Astor, arguably the richest man in the world at the time, it has become one of the capitol’s most prestigious venues for corporate and private entertaining. 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. Opening times: open from January 2017 Price:  click here to find out more.  Nearest station: Temple, Covent Garden or St. Paul’s

twotempleplace.org

Kensington Palace

Experience life as an eighteenth century royal courtier within this palace of secrets, stories and public lives that has been influenced by generations of royal women. Queen Victoria lived here and you can explore the rooms she grew up in as a child. The palace was home to Princess Margaret for 42 years and Diana, Princess of Wales lived here from the day she married Prince Charles to the time of her death, when the palace’s iconic golden gates were blanketed under a carpet of flowers and tributes to the “Queen of Hearts”.   Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4pm Price: from £13.00, free under 16 Nearest station: High Street Kensington

hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

Kew House and Gardens

Opening times: Mon-Sun, 10am-4:15pm Price: from £3.50 Nearest station: Kew Gardens Station or Kew Bridge Station

Burgh House

Just minutes from Hampstead Heath, nestled in the picturesque, cobbled streets of Hampstead Village sits Burgh House; the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of London. This beautiful Grade I listed gem holds over 300 years of history from Queen Anne’s era. 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 Kipling’s daughter, but it is now open to the public four days a week as an independent charitable trust for arts, heritage and the community.

Opening times: House & Museum 12pm – 5pm Wed – Fri & Sun Price: free Nearest station: Hampstead Heath Underground or Hampstead Heath Overground

burghhouse.org.uk

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace boasts an unusual but completely charming juxtapose of the old with the new. This medieval royal palace has centuries of rich history retained in its antiquated walls and a show-stopping series of art-deco interiors built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld when they lived at Eltham in the thirties. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, with a rather nice tea shop, Eltham’s hard to beat for a relaxing day trip.

Opening times: Sun 10am-6pm Price: from £8.10 Nearest station: Eltham or Mottingham

 english-heritage.org.uk

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. It has been in the family of the present owners for more than 400 and has seen some momentous changes over the centuries. It was built on the site of the Medieval Syon Abbey and boasts a breathtaking wealth of art and grand classical interior.

Opening times: Reopen from March 2017 Price: from £5.50 Nearest station: Brentford or Syon Lane

syonpark.co.uk

Apsley House

If grand interiors are your thing, they don’t come much more splendid than the Duke of Wellington’s town house. Known as Number One, London, this huge neoclassical mansion stands at the corner of Hyde Park. Now open to the public as an art gallery and museum, its ornate, late-eighteenth century reception rooms are on show for all to see, whilst still retaining the air of a private house. Inside you can view many aspects of the first duke’s life, most outstandingly his amazing art treasures and incomparable collections of porcelain, silver, sculpture, furniture and memorabilia.

Opening times: Reopen from April 2017 Price: from £5.20 Nearest station: Victoria

english-heritage.org.uk

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Tia Douglas

• Published November 21, 2016
• Art & Theatre , Going Out , What's On & Culture
• Day out , history , UK

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27 Tudor Manor Houses in England You Can Visit

England is packed with characteristic Tudor Manor Houses. From Tudor Manor Houses owned or visited by the Tudor Kings and Queens. To Tudor houses owned by the noble families of England.

Many of these Tudor manor houses in England can be visisted. Whether you want to visit a Royal Tudor house, a historic house museum or one of the oldest ancestral homes in England. There’s a wide range of Tudor houses that you and your family can visit.

I have selected the 26 best Tudor Manor Houses in England that you can visit. From Cornwall to Manchester. Wherever you live in England, a historic Tudor house is nearby.

Hampton Court Palace

This Royal palace was built in the 16th century for Cardinal Wolsey. It was later given to Henry VIII and it became one of his favourite palaces. Hampton Court Palace together with St. James’ Palace are the only surviving palaces owned by Henry VIII.

King William III rebuilt the palace so now the castle is in Tudor and Baroque style. The palace and grounds are open to visitors.

Visit the website →

Athelhampton

One of the finest examples of a Tudor Manor House in England. The Tudor house has Elizabethan gardens and a kitchen garden. The restaurant offers dishes with products from the kitchen garden. Thomas Hardy frequently visited the house and even wrote a poem about it.

The house and gardens are open to visitors Sunday-Friday.

Did you know you can also visit Thomas Hardy’s homes? You can read all about it in the Writers’ Houses in England post .

Newark Park

The Tudor country house in Gloucestershire was originally built as a hunting lodge between 1544-1556. In the 20th century the house fell into disrepair but American architect Bob Parsons renovated the house to its former glory.

Newark Park is now owned by the National Turst an open to the public on a daily basis.

Eltham Palace

A unique manor house where Medieval, Tudor and Art-Deco blends together. It was a Royal residence during the Tudor period and future King Henry VIII grew up at Eltham Palace. In the 1930s millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld transformed to house. Therfor you can now see a unique blend of historic architecture with 1930s design.

The house and gardens are open for vistors. For actual opening times visit the English Heritage website

Cotehele is a meideval country house with Tudor additions in the parish of Calstock. The manor house was built by the Edgecumbe family in 1458. Sir Richard Edgecumbe was gifted the property after fighting for Henry Tudor in the Battle of Bosworth.

Cotehele is one of the least altered Tudor houses in England. The house also contains many textiles and furniture from Mount Edgecumbe House. The expansive estate also includes a working mill on an historic quay and a beautiful garden with valley views.

Cotehele visitor information: The garden is open daily. The house is open March-October.

Address : St Dominick, near Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6TA

Gawsworth Old Hall

This Tudor manor house in England was built in the 15th and 16th-century. Mary Fitton, the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets and maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth I lived at the house. The house and garden can be visited.

Helmingham Hall

A moated Tudor manor house. The house was built in 1480 by John Tollemache and the family still ownes the house. Only the gardens are open for visitors. Here you can clearly see the influence of garden designer Xa Tollemache.

The house was a filming location for “The Golden Bowl”.

Blakesley Hall

A timber-framed Tudor farmhouse in Birmingham with beautiful gardens. By visiting Blakesley Hall you can discover what life was like for a wealthy family during the Tudor time.

Kentwell Hall

Kentwell Halll is one of the finest moated Tudor Manor Houses in England. The house is a combination of Tudor and classical elements with Tudor portraits and historic tapestries. Extensive lawns, walled gardens, massive clipped yews, espaliered fruit trees and giant cedars surround the House.

The gardens are open March-September and the house is open May-September.

Godolphin Estate

The Tudor & Stuart mansion with formal gardens dates back to the 15th-century and also has Elizabethan stables. It was the former seat of the Dukes of Leeds (who only visited the house twice) and the Earls of Godolphin.

The house and garden is open for visitors and the house can be rented as a holiday let.

Barrington Court

The house was built in 1552 by William Clifton. And the court house is one of the earliest examples of a classic E-shaped Elizabethan manor house. In the 18th century the manor house became a tenant farm and a fire in the 19th century destroyed much of the interiors. Barrington Court was acquired by the National Trust in 1907. And in the 1920s they leased the manor house to Col. Abram Arthur Lyle. He and his wife restored the manor house and a new garden was dsigned by Gertrude Jekyll.

Barrington Court was used as a filming location for Wolf Hall.

The gardens, parkland and book barn are open for visitors. The house is currently closed.

Christchurch Mansion

This Tudor brick mansion house in Suffolk was built between 1548-1550. Several noble families resided in the house. But it is currently owned by the Colchester + Ipswich Museums. The historic house museum shows the shouse through the centuries. From the Tudor kitchen to the Georgian saloon and the detailed Victorian wing.

The museum also houses a collection of art by Suffolk artists. This includes the biggest collection of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable paintings outside of London.

Owlpen Manor

Owlpen is one of the most romantic Tudor houses in Southern England. Located right under the Cotswold hills, it is the family home of the Mander family.

The Tudor manor house was built between 1450 and 1616. In the 1920s the house was saved from ruin with Arts and Crafts repairs.

The “Old-English” style garden is much loved by garden enthousiasts. The hillside garden is set on seven hanging terraces of the 16th/17th centuries, with yew topiary, old roses and box parterres.

Owlpen Manor was used as a filming location for Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Beco ming Jane and Pantom Thread.

Thornbury Castle

The Tudor castle in Gloucestershire was built in 1511 for Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Even though it holds the title castle it is not in fact a military fortress. But instead it’s a Tudor country home.

King Henry VIII confiscated the castle after the Duke’s death. He stayed at the castle in August 1535 with Queen Anne Boleyn. 9 years later Queen Mary giften the castle to Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford.

The castle fell into disrepair but it was saved and renovated by the Howard family in 1824.

Today Thornbury is a luxury castle hotel and wedding venue.

Book your stay at Thornbury Castle →

Bramall Hall

The timber framed Tudor manor house is located in the Greater Manchester area. The oldest part of the manor house date back to the 14th century. In the 16th and 19th century new additions were added to the Tudor house. Bramall Hall has 16th century wall paintings, Elizabethan plaster ceiling, Victorian kitchens and Servants’ Quarters.

The hall is now a historic house museum showing more of the families and servants who lived and worked here. The surrounding parkland is designed in romantic Victorian style.

Shibden Hall

The Tudor Hall in West Yorkshire was the family home of English diarist Anne Lister who was called “the first modern lesbian”. Anne Shibden became the owner of the Hall after her aunt died. She asked York architect John Harper and landscape gardener Samuel Gray to impprove the Hall. This included the addition of a Gothic tower, whcih she used as a library. After Anne’s dead the Hall passed to her partner Ann Walker.

The Hall is used in the BBC television series Gentleman Jack, which is about its most famous owner Anne Lister

Visit the Shibden Hall website →

Coughton Court

The Tudor country house is located in Warwickshire. The oldest part of the manor house is the Tudor gatehouse which sits at the center. This gatehouse was built in 1536 with hexagonal turrets and  oriel windows  in English Renaissance style.

The wings of the manor house are later additions in Strawberry Hill Gothic style made famous by Horace Wallpole. (read more about Strawberry Hill in this post)

Coughton Court is now owned by the National Trust and offers a collection of Catholic treasures.

Packwood House

The timber framed Tudour manor house was built in the 16th century. The house has an expansive collection of fine tapestreis and 16th and 17th century furniture.

Packwood has a beautiful garden mainly known for its yew garden. The house is now owned by the National Trust.

Layer Marney Tower

A Tudor Palace located in Essex , built in 1520. It is a perfet example of a Tudor gatehouse and it’s the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England.

The Gatehouse, Church & Garden can be visited April-September. And it is also used as a wedding venue.

Smithills Hall

One of the oldest manor houses in North West England. Smithills’ origins date back to Medieval times but it has Tudor and Victorian wings. The estate also houses a Chapel built in 1520.

American author Nathanial Hawthorne also visited the Hall.

The house is open for visitors Wednesday-Friday.

Browsholme Hall

Located in the Forest of Bowland, Browsholme Hall is the oldest surviving family home in Lancashire. The 500-year-old- Tudor manor house is owned by the Parker family.

The house and gardens are open for visitors.  The estate also offers holiday accomondation. And it can be booked as a wedding venue.

Croxteth Hall

Built in 1575 with extensions in Tudor, Georgian and Queen Anne style. It was the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton until the last Earl died in 1972.

Inside the home is Edwardian in style.

The facade is from 1702. The hall is currently closed for restorations (which will finish in Autumn 2022) but the Park is open for visitors.

A wattle-and-daub Tudor manor house built by Sir William Norris in 1530. The house has a priest hole because the Norris family were Catholic. Visiting the house you will find 500 years of history and see how its past residents lived.

The Hall is open Wednesday-Sunday but the gardens are open daily.

The Tudor mansion in South East London was built in 1537 for Sir John Champneys. The stately home became the property of the Dashwood family in the 1700s. During WWII it was an intercept station for the US Army. Now the Tudor mansion restored to its Tudor & 17th century design. The gardens include a Butterfly House and Plant Centre.

Greys Court

In 1485 the estate was granted to Sir Francis Knollys who built the main part of the current building. He incorporated parts of the 1450s house that already stood on the estate. The Stapleton famiy first converted the house into a Georgian home with Medieval ruins. And later into a Victorian country house. On the estate you will see remains of the former houses dating back to the 11th century.

The house is used as a filming location for Downton Abbey (it features as Ryholme, a hunting lodge that the Earl of Grantham considered buying).

Berry Pomeroy Castle

A Tudor mansion built in the 15th-century within the walls of an older castle. In 1547 the castle was sold to Edward Symour (brother of Jane Seymour, one of the wives of Henry VIII) and it has stayed in the Seymour family ever since.

The castle is open to visitors daily.

Sutton House

The Tudor house is the oldest residential building in the London borough Hackney. The Tudor manor house was built in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadler, Principal Secretary of State to Henry VIII.

The rich history of the house can now be visited.

Tudor Manors in England on a map

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London’s Secret Royal Palaces, Castles and Stately Homes

By: Author The Working Line

Posted on May 11, 2024

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Finding historic houses, stately homes and whatever resembles a least a little bit royal palaces in London is something I love doing.

From pretty neighborhoods to places to spot cherry blossom, I see the beautiful in every area I visit in London.

If you’re traveling to London for the first time , visiting those secret castles and royal palaces is a great way to discover London’s history.

And if you’re not a tourist, but living in London on a budget , you’ll be happy to know most of these places are completely free!

London’s Secret Royal Palaces, Castles and Stately Homes

When wandering around posh areas in London , you’ll come across many more stately homes, historic houses and secret palaces you’d initially think.

Richly decorated with sculptures, lights and paintings, those vast palaces are a great way to break away from London’s most touristic areas.

If, for instance, you’d like some romantic date ideas in London , castles and palaces are usually romantic places to take your other half…

At least in my book!

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Somerset House, Central London

One of the most central royal palaces in London, Somerset House is a hot spot when it comes to spending summer in London .

Movie showings, activities, shopping areas sponsored by brands like Jo Malone, Somerset House, finished in the 18th Century in a neoclassical architecture, offers both culture and history.

During the winter, Somerset House offers one of the best ice rinks in London, and again, more shops to treat yourself and your beloveds.

From end of November, if you’re looking for the best Christmas decorations in London , don’t overlook Somerset House!

On the other side of Somerset House, you will have some of the best free views in London , on the Thames river which glistens when the sun is out.

Inside, visitors are able to walk around the impressive Courtauld Gallery, which in itself is one of the most beautiful art galleries in London.

Read: The Best Free Rooftops in London

The Most Secret Palaces in London: Ham House, Richmond

Ham House is located in Richmond, one of the prettiest villages in London , and it is yet another hidden gem when it comes to art and architecture.

More of a stately home than other royal palaces in London, Ham House is a 17th century mansion, and one of the best-preserved examples of a Stuart-era house.

If you’re looking for really instagrammable places in London to walk around and snap some shots, Ham House is open to the public.

You can get on a free tour, wander around the historic house, and enjoy a good coffee with cake at the onsite coffee shop !

Read: The Best Charity Shops in London

The Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Spencer House

Spencer House in South West London is probably one of the most beautiful houses in London, and probably the entire world.

Mansion lovers, you will love to visit what used to be home to the first Earl of Spencer, an ancestor of Princess Diana.

If you’re looking for completely free things to do in London , that’s not the one, with admission fee currently set at £15 for adults.

There are however some landmarks in London which deserve every penny, and the gorgeously-maintainted Spencer House is one of them.

Read: The Cutest Pink Cafes in London

The Most Beautiful Historic Houses in London: Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is one of the best museums in London, and located in West London, really close to Oxford Street .

Nearby, you not only have Selfridges, one of the best shopping centers in London , but also lots of quaint little streets to walk around and relax.

At the Wallace Collection, previous home of Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, you will find a world-class art collection.

Paintings, armor, decorative arts, sculptures and furniture from various periods can be found there.

The French Renaissance style of Hertford House, which hosts the Wallace Collection, is yet another hidden gem in itself.

Rembrandt, Titio and many more celebrities of the arts world have their works exhibited there.

So before you pay a visit to all the cool shops on Oxford St , make sure you stop by the Wallace Collection!

Read: The Best French Patisseries in London

The Most Secret Palaces in London: Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich is one of the best examples we have of medieval royal palaces in London .

This one is an English Heritage site, and no other palace, castle or stately home in London even remotely looks like Eltham Palace.

The highlights of the palace are definitely its secret garden , as well as the beautiful Art Deco mansion.

You’ll find plenty of cool things to do in Greenwich, but visiting Eltham Palace is one you can’t overlook when visiting London !

Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London

Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Strawberry Hill House

Strawberry Hill House was built by Horace Walpole during the 18th Century – Walpole is considered at the forefront of Gothic revival architecture in England.

Well, Strawberry Hill House is considered the perfect example of this architectural house, and the contrast between the pure, white exterior and the bright red and gold interiors is striking.

This would almost make you think of castles in Paris, with romantic curves, pointed arches and turrets.

One of the most beautiful palaces to visit in London if you want to be blown away!

Read: The Best Harry Potter Locations in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Lincoln’s Inn, Central London

Lincoln’s Inn is located in Central London , close to Temple Church and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Lincoln’s Inn is a prominent example of Tudor architecture, and one of the most secret places in London , especially counting in the Inner Temple Garden.

Its history can be traced back to the 13th century, with the collection of buildings used as homes and offices for lawyers.

Lincoln’s Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London, and walking around this place and Temple Church, one of the most beautiful churches in London , makes for a really unusual date.

Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace in Richmond is another one of the most beautiful royal palaces in London, built in the 16th century and later purchased by King Henry VIII.

You have two palaces inside Hampton Court Palace; the Tudor Palace and the Baroque Palace.

They were built one after the other, and while the architecture is different, every little detail is worth observing there.

Even if you’re not a history buff, you’ll find at Hampton Court Palace some of the most beautiful art in London .

It takes some time to reach, since the palace is not located in Central London , but for a romantic date or just to do something when it rains in London, it’s perfect.

Read: The Cutest Villages in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace was one of the most important palaces in London of the 19th Century, since it was home to the Great Exhibition of 1851.

It used to be located in Hyde Park, and was later moved to Sydenham until it burned in 1936.

The palace cannot be visited, but Crystal Palace Park is one of the best hidden gems in London , with a curated lifesize maze and dinosaur statues.

For those on the hunt for animal statues in London, that’s a place to visit !

Read: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Mayfair

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Sir John Soane’s Museum

Now, if you’re on the hunt for royal palaces in London that are free to the public, try Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Former home to the architect Sir John Soane, the stately home offers sculptures, paintings, and of course, stunning architecture.

It reminds me a bit of the Wallace Collection, with its collection of antiquities and art, and is a place where you can imagine people gathering to catch up back in the day.

Read: The Best Cupcakes in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Kensington Palace

In terms of secret royal palaces in London, I wouldn’t say Kensington Palace is absolutely secret.

It’s actually one of the most famous palaces in town, and located only a mile from Buckingham Palace.

Kensington Palace used to be Princess Diana’s home, and a spectacular place to visit if you’re hooked on historical houses and gorgeous art.

Queen Victoria was also born there, and if you have time and are looking for things to do in West London , Kensington Palace is a treat.

You’ll also find some of the best cookies in London at Ben’s Cookies in South Kensington, must-tries if you’re staying around those areas.

Read: The Best Bagels in London

The Best Secret Castles in London: Finsbury Barracks, City Road

When I used to live in Mile End and Bethnal Green in East London, I used to pass by this castle on City Road, near Old Street, and could not understand what it was.

Well, it’s not one of the royal palaces in London at all, even if it does look like a stunning castle.

A little bit like the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, which may look like a castle, but are not.

Finsbury Barracks was built in 1857 and also goes by the name City Road Barracks, and basically used to be headquarters to the Royal London Militia.

Since you’re almost in Moorgate, you could pay a visit to Eataly, one of the best Italian food shops in London for fresh pizza, pasta and Italian chocolate!

Read: The Best Neapolitan Pizza in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Fulham Palace

Fulham Palace is located in South West London, after all the cute cafes and charity shops in Chelsea .

Once country home to the Bishops of London, Fulham Palace is one of the royal palaces in London that boast the cutest garden ever.

You can easily access Fulham Palace from Putney Bridge tube station, where you’ll also find one of the best second hand bookshops in London , Hurlingham Books.

If you like finding beautiful bookshops , that’s another place you really have to check out.

Entrance to Fulham Palace is completely free, and everything from the Tudor courtyard to the Great Hall is worth a picture.

Read: The Cutest Bakeries in London

The Most Beautiful Stately Homes in London: Chiswick House

Chiswick offers some of the prettiest streets in London , and the opulent West London area also offers a beautiful stately home.

Chiswick House was built in the 18th century, and the architecture and art if offers revolves mainly around Italian renaissance and antique Roman art.

I love finding Roman ruins in London and Roman sculptures, so to have a rotunda and frescoes all around the historical house really is a sight to gorge oneself on.

The gardens are also worth a good glance, and neatly curated in the English garden style.

It’s not completely free to access either the house or the gardens, but totally worth it.

Read: The Most Unique Shops in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Tower of London

Who would have thought that the Tower of London is one of the most historical royal palaces in London?

Yup, it’s not just home to the Crown Jewels.

Labeled UNESCO World Heritage Sight, the Tower of London is one of the most famous attractions in London.

Founded in 1066, this beautiful palace was in turn a palace, a menagerie, an armory, a prison and a treasury.

You’re really close to Tower Bridge and the Shard here, and whether you choose to relax in the garden or go work at the nearby Starbucks cafe , this is a pretty area to walk around.

Read: How to Spend 24 Hours in London

The Best Secret Castles in London: Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace is located in the borough of Lambeth in South London, and its history can be traced back to the 13th century.

Home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, senior bishop of the Church of England, this is actually one of the most essential royal palaces in London.

The various buildings were erected at different times, and if you’re looking for incredible architecture in London, the Chapel and the Great Hall are two must-sees.

And for book lovers, the Lambeth Palace Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in London – don’t miss out on it!

Read: The Most Secret Beaches in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Greenwich Palace/Old Royal Naval College

One of the best things to do in Greenwich is to visit the Old Royal Naval College.

In my opinion, it’s one of the most gorgeous photo spots in London , and really perfect once color-graded on Illustrator.

Perfect for Pinterest , too!

The Old Royal Naval College now stands in lieu of the Palace of Placentia, built in the 15th Century and later called Greenwich Palace.

This stately home was the birthplace of several monarchs like King Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I.

The Old Royal Naval College is one of the best hidden gems in London , and really perfect when you’re looking for nontouristy things to do!

Read: How to Make Friends in London

The Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Buckingham Palace

Talking about nontouristy things to do in London , Buckingham Palace is definitely not the one.

However, it’s one of the most famous royal palaces in London, and located in the City of Westminster, with Hyde Park surrounding it.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703, and has been the private residence of British monarchs since its purchase by King George III in 1761.

Not too far from Buckingham Palace, you have Bayswater, Lancaster Gate and Paddington, with some of the cutest mews in London .

It’s a great place to write in London , to relax, read, or just have a picnic before going clothes shopping on Oxford St or Knightsbridge!

Read: The Best Apps to Survive in London

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: Winchester Palace

If you’re interested in finding beautiful ruins in London , you could start in London Bridge, right off Borough Market, with Winchester Palace.

Located on Pickfords wharf, this 12th century palace was residence to the powerful Bishops of Winchester.

Most of it was demolished after the 17th century and it’s quite incredible to tell yourself this used to be a full palace at some point.

People walked these walls, of which now only ruins remain, and the ancient monument is now labeled English Heritage.

Of all the cool things to do in London Bridge , popping by Winchester Palace is certainly one of the coolest.

And you also have Bread Ahead Bakery , as well as the astonishing Southwark Cathedral just a few steps away!

Read: The Best Things to Buy in London

Most Secret Royal Palaces in London: Banqueting House, Whitehall

The Banqueting House in Whitehall is another one of the most famous royal palaces in London, designed at the beginning of the 17th Century.

Here, we have a perfect example of Palladian architecture, which emerged in Venice and blew up in England with its classical elements from Ancient Rome and Greece.

The Banqueting House in Whitehall features countless allegorical scenes, elaborate and beautiful, with ceilings painted by none other than Rubens.

If you’re looking for historical houses in London, the Banqueting House has more than one secret up its sleeve!

Read: The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London

Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in London: Apsley House

Apsley House is probably one of the most beautiful royal palaces in London, hidden away at Hyde Park Corner.

One of the most famous highlights of Apsley House is its painting ‘The Waterseller of Seville’ by Diego Velázquez.

That’s not all you’ll find there, as in addition to Velázquez and Rubens works of art, the interiors are so opulent you’ll wonder how it is even possible.

We’re really close to Knightsbridge here, so once you’re done visiting Apsley House, a visit to Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent is totally appropriate.

Plus, you’ll be snacking in one of the cutest pink places in London and facing Harrods directly.

And since Harrods is one of the best department stores in London… We’re really on for a fully satisfying day.

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill

Best Secret Royal Palaces in London: St James’s Palace

One of the most important royal palaces in London, St James’s Palace also doubles as one of the oldest buildings in town.

If you are walking around famous areas in London like Buckingham Palace, take some time to see St James’s Palace, built in the 16th by King Henry VIII.

It’s quite crazy to find such well-preserved, secret castles in London, and this one is right in the heart of the city!

This palace is not the primary residence of the British monarch anymore, as it was for monarchs like Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, but it is still a significant location for official ceremonies.

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden

There you have them, all the best royal palaces in London, secret castles and stately houses to visit!

One of the things I wish I knew before going to London for the first place is just how many hidden palaces there are.

And of course, with palaces, you can almost always find parks and gardens – if you love finding secret gardens in London , we have a two birds one stone situation here!

Until next time!

Curious Traveler’s Guides

• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Spitalfields, East London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Canary Wharf, East London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Smithfield, City of London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Bethnal Green, East London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Fleet Street, City of London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London
• The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Best Restaurants

Other London Life

• How to Spend 24 Hours in London
• Living in London: Things I Have Learned Over the Years
• The Must Have Apps to Survive in London
• How to Save Money on Groceries in London
• How to Live in London on a Budget
• How to Eat in London on a Budget
• How to Make Friends in London
• How to Move to London – and Survive as an Expat
• The Best Tips for Student Budget in London
• The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London
• First Time Travel to London: All There is To Know
• London Travel Guides for Tourists and Locals
• How to Pack Your Suitcase for Digital Nomads
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Life in a Hostel
• How to Survive Life in a Hostel

Other London Travel

• The Cutest Pink Places in London
• Bookish London Itinerary: 13 Cute Places to Visit
• The Prettiest Places for Nature in London
• The Most Colorful Places in London
• The Poshest Areas in London
• The Prettiest Villages in London
• The Prettiest Mews in London
• The Prettiest Streets in London
• The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
• The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
• The Prettiest Neighborhoods in London
• The Prettiest East London Neighborhoods
• Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?
• Where to See Autumn Colors in London?
• The Best Harry Potter Locations in London

Secret London

• Artistic Hidden Gems in London, Statues & Secret Views
• The Best Hidden Gems in Brick Lane
• The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair
• The Best Hidden Gems in Covent Garden
• The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
• The Best Hidden Gems in North London
• The Best Hidden Gems in South London
• The Best Hidden Gems in East London
• The Best Hidden Gems in West London
• The Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge
• The Best Free Secret Gardens in London
• Chalcot Square Primrose Hill, London’s Most Colorful Spot
• St Dunstan in the East Church Ruins, A Must Visit in London

Other Things to Do in London

• The Best Things to Do in Canary Wharf
• The Best Things to Do in Soho
• The Best Things to Do in London Bridge
• The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
• The Best Romantic Date Ideas in London
• The Best Non Touristy Things to Do in London
• The Best Harry Potter Things to Do in London
• The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line
• The Best Things to Do in London When It Rains

Other London Shopping

• The Best Charity Shops in London
• The Best Charity Shops in Bethnal Green
• The Best Charity Shops in Chelsea
• The Best Charity Shops in Kentish Town
• The Best Charity Shops in Camden Town
• The Best Charity Shops in Muswell Hill
• The Best Charity Shops in North Finchley
• The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
• The Best Secondhand Bookshops in London
• The Best Shops on Oxford Street
• The Best Shops in Covent Garden
• The Most Unique Shops in London
• The Best British Shops in London
• The Best Cheap Clothing Shops in London
• The Best Budget Shops in London
• The Best Candle Shops in London
• The Best Stationery Shops in London
• The Best Shopping Centers in London
• The Prettiest Shopping Arcades in London
• The Biggest TK Maxx in London
• The Best Things to Buy in London
• The Best Harry Potter Shops in London
• The Prettiest Christmas Shop Windows in London
• London’s Prettiest Department Store: Harrods Egyptian Hall
• Bath and Body Works Shop at Next Westfield

Other London Food

• Where to Have Lunch for £5 in London
• The Best Cheap Eats in Central London
• Deliciously Secret Places to Eat in Central London
• The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in London
• The Most Aesthetic Restaurants in London With Statues
• The Most Maximalist Restaurants in London
• The Best Italian Restaurants in London Bridge
• The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Central London
• The Best Neapolitan Pizza in London
• The Cheapest Pizza Spots in London
• The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Mayfair
• The Best Restaurants in Balham
• The Best Restaurants in Knightsbridge
• The Best Restaurants in Whitechapel
• The Best Restaurants in Walthamstow
• The Best Pho Restaurants in London
• The Best Vegan Breakfast in London

Other London Cafes

• The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
• The Cutest Floral Cafes in London
• The Most Instagrammable Secret Cafes in London
• The Best Bookshop Cafes in London
• The Best Colorful Lattes in London
• The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
• The Best Breakfast in East London
• The Best Brunch in King’s Cross
• The Best Brunch in London Bridge
• The Best Italian Cafes in London
• The Best Cafes in London Bridge
• The Best Cafes in Shoreditch
• The Best Cafes in Brixton
• The Best Cat Cafes in London

Other London Bakeries

• The Cutest Bakeries in London
• The Best French Bakeries in London
• The Best Vegan Bakeries in London
• The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
• The Best Bagels in London
• The Best Cinnamon Buns in London
• The Best Croissants in London
• The Best Macarons in London
• The Best Cupcakes in London
• The Best Cookies in London
• The Best Pastel de Nata in London
• The Best Ice Cream in London
• The Best Doughnuts in London
• The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London

Other London Halal Food

• The Best Halal Steaks in London
• The Best Halal Rooftop Restaurants in London
• The Best Fancy Halal Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Fine Dining in London
• The Best Halal Buffets in London
• The Best Halal Burgers in London
• The Best Halal Japanese in London
• The Best Halal Chinese in London
• The Best Halal Italian in London
• The Best Halal Indian Food in London
• The Best Halal Thai Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Turkish Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Moroccan Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Mexican Food in London
• The Best Halal Pho in London
• The Best Halal Michelin Star Restaurants in London
• The Best Halal Afternoon Tea in London
• The Best Halal Korean BBQ in London
• The Best Halal Breakfast in London
• The Best Halal Brunch in London
• The Best Halal Cafes in London
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Covent Garden
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Soho
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Canary Wharf
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Oxford St
• The Best Halal Restaurants in Edmonton
• The Best Halal Restaurants in East London
• The Best HMC Halal Restaurants in London

Other London Coworking Posts

• The Best Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Cafes to Work in South London
• The Best Cafes to Work in West London
• The Best Cafes to Work in North London
• The Best Cafes to Work in East London
• The Best Cafes to Work in Oxford Street & Mayfair
• The Best Cafes to Work in Covent Garden
• The Best Cafes to Work in Kensington
• The Best Cafes to Work in Chelsea
• The Best Cafes to Work in West Hampstead
• The Best Cafes to Work near Tottenham Court Road
• The Best Cafes to Work in Brick Lane
• The Best Cafes to Work in Bethnal Green
• The Best Cafes to Work in Wembley
• The Best Cafes to Work in Leicester Square
• The Best Cafes to Work in Soho
• The Best Cafes to Work in London Bridge
• The Best Cafes to Work in Liverpool Street
• The Best Cafes to Work in Marylebone
• The Best Cafes to Work near King’s Cross
• The Best Cafes to Work in Canary Wharf
• The Best Free Quiet Study Spaces in London
• The Best Free Libraries in London
• The Best Free Coworking Spaces in London
• The Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London
• The Best Places to Study in Southbank
• The Best Places to Write in London
• The Best Coworking Spaces in Soho
• The Best Coworking Spaces in East London
• The Best Coworking Spaces in Notting Hill
• The Best Pret Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Costa Coffee Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Starbucks Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Caffe Nero Cafes to Work in London
• The Best Chain Coffee Shops to Work in London

Other Travel Posts

• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in NYC
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Rome
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Istanbul
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Dubai
• The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Edinburgh
• The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul
• The Most Instagrammable Places in Lisbon
• The Most Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh
• The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome
• The Most Instagrammable Places in NYC
• The Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
• The Best Hidden Gems in Barcelona
• The Most Colorful Cities in the World
• The Most Colorful Cities in Europe
• The Cutest Pink Places in the World

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The Working Line

Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.

• The Working Line https://theworkingline.com/author/theworkingline/ The Best Shades of MAC Lipstick For Dark Skin, Nude to Plum
• The Working Line https://theworkingline.com/author/theworkingline/ The Best MAC Lipsticks For Fair Skin and Pale Skin
• The Working Line https://theworkingline.com/author/theworkingline/ The Best Cafes To Work in London and Study (Laptop Friendly)
• The Working Line https://theworkingline.com/author/theworkingline/ The Best Pret a Manger Cafes to Work in London and Study

Jetsetting Fools

Travel Far. Discover More. Spend Less.

12 Best London Neighborhoods for Sightseeing

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

London is enormous . An array of diverse districts dot the landscape from one end to the other. The city’s massive size can be intimidating. No worries! We are highlighting the best London neighborhoods for sightseeing to help you easily plan your vacation.

Since we started traveling full time in 2014, we have landed in London on dozens of occasions. Not shy about exploring new places, our frequent trips to London have given us the opportunity to discover several neighborhoods.

While we’re consistently impressed by the landmark attractions and certainly enjoy re-visiting our favorite haunts, we are always eager for new London experiences and uncovering hidden gems!

Top Sightseeing Neighborhoods in London 

Planning a vacation to London is not so simple. It’s absolutely heaving with intriguing things to do! We believe breaking down sightseeing in London by neighborhood makes planning a less formidable task.

Our list of the best London districts to visit on vacation is designed to help travelers make the most of their time. Rather than bouncing from one place to the next while ticking off sights, exploring by district encourages a bit of wandering.

Understanding Cities, Boroughs and Districts in London

As often as we visit London, we still find it a bit confusing – at least in terms of neighborhood names and boundaries. London is a megalopolis, but the City of London is a square-mile enclave. The Borough of Westminster takes up a much larger territory than the iconic District of Westminster.

Some neighborhoods have set boundaries, while other districts are defined by fuzzy ambiguities. The areas that we highlight may or may not have official borders, but we believe organizing London sightseeing by neighborhood makes it much easier!

Sightseeing London Itineraries

Need some guidance on how to plan your London vacation? We have created multiple itineraries for London that showcase different ways to see the city!

• Best of London in One Day  
• How To Spend 3 Days in London on a Budget
• Fun One Week London Itinerary  

Organize your London Trip

As you start making plans for what to see in London neighborhoods, organization is key. Use our Printable Travel Planner to stay on top of all the details!

Best London Neighborhoods for Sightseeing

Based on our personal experiences, we have selected 12 of the best districts in London for tourists to explore. We pinpoint each neighborhood on the map at the end of the article.

#1 Westminster 

The epitome of power and prestige, Westminster is a must-see London neighborhood. From Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey to the astounding Parliament building and Big Ben, the area is marked with some of the most sought-after sights in the city.

Additionally, some of the top Free Museums in London  are located within the district. Visitors could spend an entire day admiring the collections at The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Britain.

Westminster is one of the districts that we return to time and again. Although very little changes in the age-old neighborhood, we are no less enthralled by it.

Top Travel Tip: Visitors can get a formal introduction to Westminster on a guided tour – or use our Free Self-Guided Westminster Walk . 

#2 West End

Known for theaters, cinemas and red-carpet events – as well as festive markets, famous shops and street performers – the West End is a hub of entertainment. Only about 1.5 square miles in size, it punches well above its weight in things to do!

Several districts fall under the unofficial umbrella of the West End, making it all the more fascinating to explore.  

Things To Do in Soho, Mayfair and Marylebone

London Soho is an atmospheric neighborhood of high-end shops and late-night revelry. We like to route our way through Soho by passing Piccadilly Circus (marked with flashing billboards and the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain), before walking north along Regent Street.

The Soho thoroughfare is lined with dazzling stores, with Hamleys Toy Shop and Liberty London being two of our favorites. However, Regent Street is worth walking down – especially during Christmas in London – even if you don’t intend to buy anything.

In adjacent Mayfair and Marylebone, the retail extravaganza continues. The flagship Selfridge’s department store provides a luxurious shopping experience and Daunt Books offers bibliophiles a cozy space for browsing.

Visitors can stroll down Mount Street in hopes of glimpsing a celebrity or admire the Wallace Collection of artworks. Then walk up Baker Street to 221B, the fictional home of Sherlock Holmes and the current location of the museum dedicated to the detective.

Nightlife in Soho

Carnaby Street in Soho is firmly rooted in the music culture of London. It has had a front row seat to top cultural revolutions, from the London Swinging Sixties to the late 70s punk scene to modern day hip hop. 

In fact, there is nothing quite like a night out in London’s Soho district! From ridiculously fun karaoke bars to the iconic basement jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho is bursting with fun things to do in London at night. Cahoots is a chic cocktail lounge that serves delicious concoctions and Thirst Soho is another fun club with great drink specials.

What To Do in Chinatown, Leicester Square and Covent Garden

London’s Chinatown is marked by an ornamental gate and the bustling streets are draped with red lanterns. The best thing to do in Chinatown is to eat – and there are a number of great eateries in the district. Lido, open since 1969, is our preferred place for a classic meal of dim sum and roasted duck.

Leicester Square marks the center of the Theater District. Visitors can buy day-of show tickets at the TKTS Booth – or shop at one of the commercial empires (like the Lego Store and M&M World). For a glimpse at the exteriors of theaters, take a stroll along the famed Shaftesbury Avenue.

Covent Garden is a menagerie of marvelous markets, major retail outlets, tempting restaurants and engaging entertainers. For shoppers, it’s paradise; for foodies, it’s heaven; for tourists, it’s enchanting.

Besides watching street performances, our favorite thing to do at Covent Garden is to wander through the markets and relax with a beverage. The Craft Beer Co and Seven Dials Market are two excellent spots!

There is no doubt that the West End has a late-night appeal – but there are plenty of reasons to visit during the day. In addition to the markets, department stores and matinee theater performances, visitors can also tour the Transport Museum ( ticket required ) and Sir John Soane’s Museum (free). 

Sightseeing Tip: Another fun thing to do in the West End is to strike a pose on Abbey Road. The crosswalk depicted on the cover of the famous Beatle’s album is in Marylebone, near Abbey Road Studios.

#3 City of London

Steeped in history but shaped by the 1666 Great Fire and modern architecture, the City of London is the best place to learn about the storied past and witness the ever-growing skyline.

The City occupies the site of a former Roman Fort, called Londinium. Evidence of the 2000-year-old settlement has been unearthed and pieces are on display (like remains of the Roman Amphitheater and Mithraeum Temple). The ancient Tower of London, dating to 1078, stands on the border of the district near the dazzling Tower Bridge.

St. Paul’s Cathedral – and its recognizable dome – was built in 1675. It stood as the tallest building in the city until 1963. Today, shiny skyscrapers have sprouted up and some of them (like Sky Garden ) open their rooftops to visitors for free.

For history nerds, like me, the City of London is a treasure trove of relics. Travelers more inspired by modern marvels, like Kris, will revel in the rooftop views. We both agree, however, that the district has some of the Best Pubs in London !

Tip for Sightseeing: Use our guide to the Top City of London Attractions for more ideas!

#4 South Bank, Southwark and Bermondsey

Southwark and South Bank sit side-by-side along the River Thames. These adjoining neighborhoods in London host an exceptional number of attractions that regularly lure in visitors.

South Bank Sights

Standing right on the riverside in South Bank are two top ticketed draws: the London Eye and Sea Life Aquarium. Meanwhile, the nearby free Imperial War Museum offers insight into the UK military operations during the World Wars.

On the other hand, those looking for things a bit off-beat in South Bank might want to check out the Leake Street Arches (also known as The Graffiti Tunnel), which is covered in colorful murals by local artists. The nearby Mercado Metropolitano is a fun and thriving food market. It’s especially popular in the evening, but open for lunch, too.

Things To Do in Southwark

The top reason for our frequent visits to the Southwark neighborhood is the fantastic Borough Market. The space has been used for the trade of goods since the mid-1700s. Today, it’s an absolute culinary feast for those tracking down some Famous London Food .

Sitting right next to Borough Market is one of the most striking churches in London: The Southwark Cathedral. With more than 1,000 years of history, the high vaulted, Gothic cathedral features exceptional stained-glass windows and an intricate altar.

Overshading the cathedral spire, is The Shard. Ranking as the tallest building in Western Europe, visitors can ascend to the viewing platform for unsurpassed views of London ( buy tickets in advance ). 

Shakespeare’s Globe is a superb re-creation of William Shakespeare’s 1599 theater. In addition to performances, the open-air playhouse welcomes guests on tours. The nearby Tate Modern Museum hosts an extensive collection of contemporary artworks – but we often visit for the views from the 10th floor.

Unlike South Bank and Southwark, Bermondsey, which is just to the east, doesn’t have major attractions…and that’s actually what makes it so appealing. It’s just steps from some of London’s busiest tourist areas but retains a very local feel.

Bermondsey is best known for the craft brewers that have inhabited the brick arches under the train tracks. This stretch is dubbed the Bermondsey Beer Mile . Visitors can also peruse the goods and sample the fare at the Weekend Maltby Street Market before strolling through Southwark Park.

For a traditional meal, ease into a booth at one of the pie houses. The classic ambiance at M. Manze is hard to beat! Alternatively, dine at one of the international eateries on Bermondsey Street (like Casse-Croûte for French cuisine, José for Spanish food or Hakata for ramen).

Travel Tip: Connecting all three districts is the Thames Riverside Walking Path. The wide and flat promenade is, in our opinion, the best place to walk in all of London!

#5 Battersea and Brixton

Moving further south, Battersea and Brixton are two London neighborhoods that were once overlooked by tourists. We have stayed between the two in Clapham (on our first international pet sitting gig) and have spent many days discovering the greater area.

Why Visit Battersea

Long an industrial space, the Battersea Power Station has been revitalized into a hip place to go. Transformer into a mixed residential complex and entertainment hub, visitors are invited to soar to the top of one of the chimney stacks (ticket required).

Sitting right next to the Power Station is Battersea Park. Opened in 1858, the green space is crisscrossed by trails and features a Peace Pagoda, Boating Lake, formal gardens and a children’s zoo.

What To Do in Brixton

Brixton is home to many of London’s ‘Windrush Generation’ – settlers from the British West Indies. There is definitely a sense of community spirit in this London Neighborhood. With a boisterous market, cafes galore and a handful of craft breweries, Brixton has evolved into a medley of long-time residents, young families and Gen Y singles.

Unlike any other marketplace in London, Brixton Market celebrates diversity with exotic goods and enticing flavors. Chic coffeeshops – like Café on the Hill, Stir Coffee and F. Mondays – cluster together on Brixton Hill. However, classic San Marino remains a firm local favorite.

Bar hopping is fun in Brixton, too, as there are plenty of places to imbibe. The Brixton Brewery Taproom gets our top vote, but London Beer Lab and Pop Brixton container complex are great, as well. Lastly, don’t forget to pay tribute to Brixton born David Bowie at his memorial mural.

Further Off The Beaten Path : Travelers eager to really ditch the tourist trail can head further west to Wandsworth, Putney and Fulham.

Offering a good look at how many Londoners really live, these communities feature a typical High Street of shops, restaurants and pubs. The one attraction in the area is Fulham Palace. The building served as the home for the Bishops of London for hundreds of years.

#6 South Kensington and Chelsea

Occupying the space between Hyde Park and the River Thames are two exceptional London neighborhoods to discover: South Kensington and Chelsea. The delightful and charming districts are sprinkled with sights – but beckon visitors with attractive lanes and chic cafes.

What To Do in South Kensington

Hosting an iconic department store and a few of the best museums in London, South Kensington is firmly on the tourist trail. Harrod’s, which claims to be the biggest department store in Europe, sits on 5 acres of land and boasts more than 1 million square feet of retail space.

The Victoria and Albert Museum (or just The V&A) houses an impressive collection of wonders, including ancient artifacts and modern artworks. Both the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum are tailored to children, but they can be just as fascinating for adults.

The London landmark Royal Albert Hall (which hosts performances and offers tours) is another South Kensington cultural institution worth visiting.

Chelsea Things To See

Chelsea is an affluent London neighborhood that is bright and walkable. In fact, wandering through the district among the pastel-painted houses is one of the top things to do in Chelsea.

When roaming around the area, we route our way along King’s Road (the main thoroughfare), onto Pavilion Road (cute shops and eateries), and down Bywater and Godfrey Streets (rows of colorful houses).

There are a few formal attractions in Chelsea, too – like the contemporary Saatchi Gallery, the National Army Museum and St. Luke’s Church and Gardens.

Itinerary Tip: On the far west side of Chelsea is Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. Fans of football (soccer) can tour the stadium and on-site museum ( ticket required ).

#7 Notting Hill and Kensington

West of Westminster, Notting Hill and Kensington are popular neighborhoods to visit on a London vacation. Marked by sprawling green spaces, quaint mews and a royal palace, the districts exude elegance and host lively community events.

What To Do in Notting Hill

Picturesque and delightful, Notting Hill is often used as a backdrop for movies. Scenes from Love Actually, Cruella and of course, Notting Hill, have been filmed here. Seeking out set locations, lingering over a long brunch and browsing at a locally owned bookshop are leisurely ways to spend a day in the neighborhood.

However, what Notting Hill is most famous for is the outstanding Portobello Road Market. Crawling through the streets of the district, the market is a dizzying spectacle. Saturdays are, by far, the busiest – but the market is open six days a week (closed Sundays). 

Things To See in Kensington

The most striking attraction in Kensington is the namesake palace. A royal residence since the 17th century (and once the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Will and Kate), Kensington Palace welcomes visitors to see a portion of the property ( ticket required ).

Kensington Gardens, which are open to the public for free, sit behind the palace and mark the far west end of Hyde Park. The largest of the Royal Parks, Hyde features walking paths, ponds, an art gallery, statues (such as the Peter Pan Statue) and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the Albert Memorial.

Holland Park is lesser known, but no less beautiful. The Kyoto Garden in particular is a highlight. At the south end of the park, The Design Museum is a fascinating space dedicated to innovation.

Top Tip: Another popular spot in Kensington is The Churchill Arms. The exterior of the pub is covered with blooming flowers in springtime and Christmas trees during the holidays. Inside, patrons squeeze into the cluttered bar and nibble on…Thai food. It’s definitely odd, but it totally works! Those looking for a more local vibe, check out The Mall Tavern just around the corner.

#8 Camden Town and King’s Cross

The north-central London neighborhoods of Camden Town and King’s Cross are dazzling places to visit. A hodge-podge of sights are sprinkled throughout both districts. 

Things To Do in Camden Town

Vibrant, colorful and exuding a quirky vibe – Camden is an eclectic neighborhood in London that begs to be explored. The area is best known for its exuberant market.

Vendors at Camden Market sell everything from alternative wares to unique souvenirs. However, the delectable street food is what lures many to the marketplace.

A visit to Camden wouldn’t be complete without strolling along Regent’s Canal to Little Venice. A once integral part of the city’s thriving trade, the 8-mile tow path is full of charm, boasting beautiful houseboats and waterside cafes.

Regent’s Park – to the west of Camden Town – is another one of London’s eight Royal Parks. Inclusive of the London Zoo, an outdoor theater, a boating lake and pristine gardens, we believe it’s one of the premier green spaces in the city. Primrose Hill, on the north side of the park, offers nice panoramic views, too!

What To See in King’s Cross

A major transit hub, King’s Cross is often overlooked as a destination – but this district in London actually has quite a lot to offer.

The King’s Cross Station itself is a pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans who pose on Platform 9 ¾. Potterheads who want to find more sites from the series and filming locations can use this self-guided tour .

Just outside the neighboring Pancras Station, visitors can take in the grandeur of the Renaissance Hotel (step inside to get a glimpse of the fancy lobby). Next door is the British Library, which hosts a fantastic literary collection – including the Magna Carta, handwritten Beatles lyrics and ancient manuscripts.

Coal Drops Yard – a repurposed warehouse complex – has been transformed into buzzy marketplace of independent retailers and well-known fashion brands. Fun bars and restaurants are on site (Babel Beerhouse and Beer+Burger are among our favorites). If it’s a weekend, check out the street food eats at the Canopy Market.

Those looking for a respite from the lively crowds can escape to Gasholder Park. Or, to really find some breathing space, go to the peaceful St. Pancras Gardens and the 12th century Old Church.

Museums in the Area : A copious number of museums are located close by. If we had to pick just one, it would be the world-renowned British Museum (free). Fellow travelers might also be interested in the Charles Dicken’s Museum, The Postal Museum and The Wellcome Collection.

#9 Hampstead and Highgate

The northern London neighborhoods of Hampstead and Highgate are polished and refined. Home to the city’s well-to-do crowd, the districts feel like small villages, yet the London skyline is still within sight. We’ve been fortunate to stay in both areas while housesitting .

Hampstead Heath, a nearly 800-acre grassy parkland, separates these two posh neighborhoods in London. The area marks one of the highest points in the city, providing a phenomenal vantage point of London from afar. 

In Highgate, the top things to do are to shop at the local boutiques on the High Street, visit the gorgeous Highgate Cemetery and stroll through Waterlow Park.

The historic Flask pub has been a favorite watering hole of Highgate’s most famous residents for decades. In fact, tourists go to Highgate just in hopes of spotting a celebrity. The late George Michael, Jude Law, Kate Moss and Harry Styles have all owned homes in Highgate.

While Hampstead is less prestigious than Highgate, it is equally atmospheric with gorgeous architecture and mature trees lining the sidewalks. Among the cobblestone streets, colorful doors and hidden gardens, Hampstead has a handful of attractions. Keats House (home of poet John Keats), Burgh House (historic mansion with a café) and Kenwood House (a country estate with artwork on display) are three cultural institutions in Hampstead.

Travel Tip: Highgate and Hampstead are on different branches of the Northern Line. Depending on your route, it may be best to use the buses to sightsee in these London enclaves.

#10 East End: Spitalfields, Shoreditch & Bethnal Green

Just like the West End, the London East End does not have formal boundaries. It generally refers to a conglomeration of London neighborhoods, including Spitalfields, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green.

It’s long been a working-class district and home to many migrant communities. Some areas are edgy, some are gentrified and all are bursting with international flavor.

Spitalfields Things To See

This area is awash with fun and funky spaces, making it an exceptional place to start exploring the East End. Spitalfields Market originated as a produce bazaar in 1682, but today vendors sell everything from designer threads to vintage records to antique jewelry. Visitors will also find a few of London’s best-known food stalls at Spitalfields.

Other shopping spots that we like to visit are the Truman Brewery Markets, the Upmarket Food Hall and the well-established Brick Lane Market (which is best on Sundays).

For fans of the macabre, the Jack the Ripper Museum details the history of the notorious East End murderer – but we think the guided tours are much more thrilling. 

If you are traveling with the family, head to Spitalfields City Farm. It’s a free community space where kids (and adults) can interact with the animals.

Brick Lane and Shoreditch Sightseeing

The East End and Shoreditch celebrate street art – and much of the district is decorated with evocative murals. Constantly changing, the best examples are found along Brick Lane and in Shoreditch on alley walls, under bridges and covering doors. Look along Pedley and Hanbury streets, as well.

Don’t miss Ely’s Yard, where more murals and food trucks abound. Travelers can search on their own or join one of the guided tours in Shoreditch – like this one .

Either way, walking the length of Brick Lane is a must in the East End. It’s the beating heart of this eclectic neighborhood of London. Pop into a vintage store, sample spicy cuisine or sink your teeth into a Salt Beef Beigel. Brick Lane is a mashup of cultures and religions, which makes it one of the interesting and unique places to see in London!

However, Brick Lane is not the only attraction in Shoreditch. The Museum of the Home is an insightful space that showcases how Londoners have lived through the decades.

In the end, the top reason people flock to Shoreditch are the trendy restaurants, cool bars and fun entertainment spaces. Boxpark is great for groups, Dishoom is our pick for (quite literally) a spicy date night and Barrio makes tasty tapas.

For something a bit different, go to Bounce, where patrons can play ping pong and other table games. What’s our favorite spot? Tough call, but check out Commercial Tavern and let us know what you think!

Things To Do in Bethnal Green

Bethnal Green has a dark history, but many bright spots today. The Sunday Columbia Road Flower Market is a fresh and fragrant affair that is best capped off with a delicious Sunday Roast at The Birdcage. Local establishments, such as E Pellicci and The Sun Tavern, are solid options for food and drink (respectively).

Museums – like Young V&A (fun for kids) and Viktor Wynd’s Museum of Curiosities (an odd taxidermy extravaganza) – are fabulous for rainy days. Meanwhile, the neighborhood’s green spaces (as well as nearby Victoria Park) attract residents and visitors alike when the sun is shining.

London Like a Local: For more local experiences, head into nearby Hackney or hop on the Overground to Stoke Newington or Walthamstow.

#11 Greenwich and Canary Wharf

Further to the east are two spectacular London neighborhoods for sightseeing and are divided by the River Thames.

On the south bank is the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and to the north is modern Canary Wharf. While these two London districts are drastically different, we group them together for their close proximity.

Sightseeing in Greenwich

Just 6 miles from the city center of London, Greenwich feels a world away. The neighborhood features opulent architecture, wide-open spaces and a quaint village vibe. Yet, it plays host to a number of the top attractions in London.

The Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and Old Royal Naval College are all exceptional institutions that nod to the area’s nautical past. The Queen’s House – bedecked in seafaring artworks – adds panache to the already up-scale neighborhood. We detail everything to see and do in our Guide to Visiting Greenwich .

What To Do at Canary Wharf 

Considered to be London’s second Business District, Canary Wharf is characterized by towering skyscrapers – including One Canada Square. It’s the 3rd tallest building in the UK, after the Shard and 22 Bishopsgate. However, Canary Wharf was once one of the busiest ports in the world – and bits of the past remain.

The prime place to learn about the history is the incredible (and free) Museum of London Docklands. Telling the story from the origins of the docks to the slave trade to how the city grew – the interactive and immersive museum is interesting to both kids and adults.

One of the modern places to visit is the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, a lush and tranquil park right in the heart of the bustling district. As the Prime Meridian crosses through the site, plants from each hemisphere are displayed accordingly. 

Trip Planning Tip: These London neighborhoods can be reached by several modes of transit – but riding the Thames Clipper is the most exciting. For a unique way to get between the two, use the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and walk under the Thames. Alternatively, hop on the DLR (Dockland Light Rail) using Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf stations. 

#12 Richmond and Kew Gardens

Sitting to the west of central London, Richmond evokes the feel of a bucolic village…and it’s as pretty as a postcard. Our visit to Richmond was inspired by Ted Lasso and the London suburb is certainly worth the hype!

Fans of the television series can quite literally walk in the footsteps of the show’s characters. The Green and Paved Court were regularly featured in the show. The Prince’s Head is the stand-in pub for the fictional Crown and Anchor, where Ted often had a pint and die-hard fans watched the matches.

Other reasons to visit are the pleasant Richmond Riverside, the verdant Terrace Gardens and the expansive Richmond Park, where hundreds of deer roam free.

On the north side of Richmond, nestled along the Thames, is the astounding Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kew is a vast park boasting a collection of more than 50,000 plants.

Trip Tip: From Waterloo it’s just a 20-minute train ride to Richmond. You can also reach this London neighborhood by Tube from Westminster (District Line/40mins).

Map of Best Neighborhoods in London for Tourists

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10 Secret Places You Won't Believe Are In London

Published 30 August 2024 . By Josie May .

As much as the classic London landmarks make for great sightseeing, have you ever wondered about the stunning secret spots around the city? You might think they are few and far between, but we're here to tell you that there are definitely more than you think. With everything from the most beautifully crafted temples and derelict-turned-iconic gothic churches, to gorgeous architecture among an array of  greenery (yes, it does exist in the capital), here are the 10 best secret places you won't believe are in London . 

Kyoto Garden

Tucked away in the heart of West London's Holland Park is Kyoto Gardens , a green paradise that was originally built to celebrate the upcoming Japanese Festival in 1992. The stunning park was a gift given by Japan to Great Britain to honour the friendship between the two countries ( the real definition of if he wanted to, he would ). When visiting, you'll be transported to a tranquil paradise that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of the capital. The famous waterfall feature has been plastered over social media in recent years due to its beauty, and it's definitely worth a visit. Take a wander around the cobbled pathways while admiring the koi carp swimming around in the water - it's so dreamy. And to top it off, this park has its very own wandering peacocks which are a site to behold. 

Arrange a top secret day out in London at this gorgeous secluded garden. 

Highgate Cemetery

Branded as the 'great garden of death' when opening in 1839, Highgate Cemetery may not sound like your typical fun day out, but its incredible history and scenery will make you want the full tour. Due to the capital's population rising to more than one million in the early 19th century, as well as the cholera and typhoid outbreaks, cemeteries and churchyards were at full capacity. The London Cemetery Company stepped in and built Highgate Cemetery to try and tackle the overpopulation problem, with an extension of the gardens opening in 1860 to accommodate for even more graves. Around 170,000 people are buried here to this day, with a whole host of incredible architectural spaces within the cemetery. Have a wander up Egyptian Avenue, which was inspired by the Victorian fashion for Egyptology, or explore the magnificent mausoleum of Julius Beer - a German-born financier who use to own the Observer Newspaper and made his fortune working on the London Stock Exchange. 

Egyptian Avenue has eight vaults on either side of the walkway, each holding up to 12 coffins. 

Hampstead Heath Pergola and Hill Gardens  

When wealthy philanthropist and politician, Lord Leverhulme, purchased a town house on Hampstead Heath called 'The Hill', he had his heart set on building an eye-catching pergola. He wanted to host grand garden parties and enjoy warm summer evenings in his gorgeous garden space ( very Saltburn-esque ). The Pergola was finished in 1906 and was a thing of beauty, however after the passing of Lord Leverhulme in 1925, the pergola was abandoned along with its upkeep. The City of London is working on restoring the feature, and it's still one of the most incredible pieces of architecture you can go and visit in the capital. Its faded grandeur is still very distinct, with the gardens making the perfect place to have a weekend walk. 

Hampstead Heath is the perfect place for a summer picnic, but did you know about this secret spot? 

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Described as Britain's first ever traditional Hindu stone temple, the  BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a must-see if you're travelling to North-West London. Situated in Neasden, this beautiful structure was opened in 1995 and was noted as the largest Hindu temple outside of India. Today, it hosts an assembly hall, gymnasium and offices, with some likening it to a little enclosed village. This London landmark welcomes anyone to visit and walk around the grounds, and the temple advises that you'd need at least two hours to complete the full tour. 

This incredible Hindu temple was once the largest outside of India. 

The Berkeley Swimming Pool 

Luxury five star Knightsbridge hotel, The Berkeley , is one of the most famous spots in the capital. You might not want to spend a small fortune to experience a night there, but you can make use of their gorgeous rooftop pool that's open to the public for the first time this summer. Enjoy the extravagant views of Knightsbridge while lying on a shaded sun lounger - ensure you to bring a good book too. You can also head to the bar for a seasonal spritz or fruity smoothie to enjoy on a hot summers day. 

This rooftop pool is a must-visit this summer. 

St Dunstan-In-The-East Church Garden

Situated halfway between London Bridge and the Tower of London is the remains of St Dunstan-in-the-East . Now a beautiful public garden, the church was first opened in 1100 during the reign of William II. Large parts of the church were destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666, and was only fully restored in the early 1800s. However, it was then severely damaged again during the Blitz in WWII, with the tower and steeple surviving the impact. Despite it never being fully restored, you can now visit the beautiful gothic ruins and surrounding gardens. Plus, they host sporadic open-air church services - ensure to bring a jacket in the colder months. 

This gorgeous gothic Church has endured the Great Fire of London and The Blitz. 

Crossness Pumping Station

A former sewage pumping station may not sound like an exciting day trip, but trust us when we say this place needs to be on your radar. If you hop on the Elizabeth Line to Abbey Wood, you'll find Crossness Pumping Station - a old sewage hub that was once describe by architectural historian, Nikolaus Pevsner, as "a Victorian cathedral of ironwork". It became a Grade I listed building in 1970 and is still currently under restoration, which was supposed to be finished in 2013. There's now a museum on-site that explains the deep routed history of this incredible spot, with one of the exhibitions focussed on the 'Great Stink' and the role of London's sewerage system. If you think this place looks a tad familiar, you might recognise it from Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. 

Looking for secret places to visit in London? This sewage station should be on your list. 

The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities, Fine Art And Natural History

Hidden beneath The Last Tuesday Society - a quirky little absinthe bar in Hackney - is The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art and Natural History.  Expect the unexpected and prepare to see some of the strangest pieces of history, such as a gold-plated hippo skull formerly owned by Pablo Escobar, a plethora of taxidermy and a cabinet full of celebrity poo, including Kylie Minogue's. The museum may be small, but you can easily lose an hour or two searching around for the strangest artefacts which have all been sourced from across the world. You'll definitely be wanting a drink afterwards, so head up the spiral staircase into the bar where you can try out a traditional absinthe fountain or sip on one of their perfectly crafted cocktails. 

This bonkers museum in Hackney also serves up incredible cocktails. 

Buddhapadipa Temple

If you're planning on a explore around Wimbledon, then be sure to check out the Buddhapadipa Temple (translating directly to 'light of the Buddha'), one of the first Buddhist temples in the UK. The first Monks took residence at the site in November of 1965, and it was formally opened in 1966. Not only is this place a beauty from the outside, but the interior murals are also an absolute wonder. Painted by thirty Thai artists over an eight-year period, the murals relate to the life of the Buddha, whereas other paintings show the 'ten great birth stories of the Buddha'. 

This beautiful temple is situated in a gorgeous garden in Wimbledon. 

Mandrake Hotel Jurema Terrace  

In the heart of Fitzrovia you'll find The Mandrake, an award-winning luxury hotel. Although this five-star wonder is probably already on your radar, their Jurema Terrace might not be. Enjoy everything from South American inspired dishes to botanical cocktails on this secluded rooftop, which won the best 'outdoor space' at the AHEAD Awards. The terrace transports you out of the craziness of London living into a floral paradise, especially when the sun is beaming. If you fancy spending an evening here, then be sure to book in for an early dinner as you can get 30% off the total bill between Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

This five star hotel boasts a hidden jungle roof terrace to transport you out of the city. 

Explore more hidden gems in London  and sign up to our London newsletter to stay in the loop. 

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Why you should visit this bali hideaway.

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Raffles Bali is the epitome of a tranquil oasis.

Shrouded by trees and carefully tended gardens among the hills hovering over Jimbaran Bay, Raffles Bali offers a hushed, secluded sanctuary.

With only 32 pool villas sprawled across 57 acres, the resort has an air of exclusivity. Eighty percent of the property is natural — verdant grounds, bright flowers, small waterfalls and a private beach. Upon arriving, you’ll find yourself instinctively exhaling as you relax into this tranquil oasis.

Opened in 2020, the Bali hotel carries forward a rich legacy. Raffles Hotels & Resorts began in 1887 with the debut of its Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Singapore flagship , one of the oldest and most storied luxury hotels worldwide. The brand has long been synonymous with heritage landmark properties, like its dazzling Paris palace and the stately London Old War Office .

As Raffles moves ahead with new openings (a second Singapore location and a Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, outpost will arrive this year) — it’s set to double its hotel count by 2025 — it’s been branching out with urban hotels (like Boston and Doha ) and resort getaways. This is where Raffles Bali comes in.

Here are five reasons you should visit this Bali hideaway.

The sprawling Presidential Villa.

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You’ll be reluctant to leave these luxuriant confines. Starting at 4,036 square feet, the pool villas are the largest in Jimbaran. Each is a sprawling sanctuary — fuchsia flowers, spiky pandan leaves and other greenery encircle a private infinity pool overlooking the sapphire Indian Ocean. A terrace with chaise lounges, a palapa-shaded daybed and a dining table allow you ample choices when you want to linger around the water vista. While Raffles Bali offers a 25-meter outdoor infinity pool, most guests opt for their own.

The villas feel like homes. A stone fence encloses the standalone structure and includes tall black wooden double doors. These open to reveal your tropical garden and the villa’s intricately carved wooden entrance.

Once inside, you’ll find a refined, modern Bali haven with chocolate hardwood floors and rattan furniture. A batik tapestry covers the wall behind the plush bed. And minibars come stocked with local company JWU Botanicals’ tonics, like the immune-boosting Bali Turmeric with ginger, honey, lime and black pepper.

Bathrooms beckon with a deep-soaking tub and separate shower, though there’s also an outdoor shower if you want to refresh yourself in the sunshine.

An idyllic setting for an intimate spa treatment.

Raffles Spa offers an even more serene experience. Intimate with just two indoor treatment suites and an open-air hillside suite for those seeking a closer connection with nature, the spa’s warm wood-clad interiors exude a sense of comfort throughout. Each indoor suite opens onto a terrace, where a circular tub overlooks lush foliage, providing a scenic post-treatment relaxation spot.

Every service starts with a soothing foot ritual. Slip your feet into a fragrant peppermint soak sprinkled with rose petals. Afterward, they get misted with peppermint spray. The spa specializes in Balinese and other Southeast Asian services, ranging from a traditional Balinese massage (which involves kneading, stretching, skin rolling and acupressure) to a soul blessing (a Balinese ceremony that includes palm reading). No matter which you choose, it will likely involve reiki — all therapists are certified reiki healers and incorporate its energy healing into treatments.

After our Raffles Bali Signature Massage, which included calming our chakras and a coconut oil scalp massage for our third eye, we felt far looser and more relaxed. We capped our experience with the spa’s nourishing spicy ginger tea.

Have dinner in the Secret Cave.

Special Dining Experiences

Whether you want to pop the question or offer a smaller romantic gesture, the luxury hotel curates unforgettable special dining experiences.

The open-air Purnama Bale, perched on rocks at the property’s edge, seems to float above the ocean. The dramatic setting is popular among honeymooners. If you prefer to immerse yourself instead in Bali’s lush landscape, the Farm Terrace seats you under a passion fruit pergola surrounded by greenery.

Perhaps the most extraordinary of Raffles Bali’s special occasion venues is the Secret Cave. Follow a winding pathway to a quiet limestone cave softly illuminated with candlelight and torches and soft music playing in the background. The personalized menu, designed to resemble an antiqued treasure map, guides you through a seven-course journey around seasonal local ingredients. Culinary treasures included artfully composed dishes like a local goat cheese and heirloom carrot panna cotta with an elaborate design on top and house-smoked Tabanan free-range duck breast strips rolled into roses; hollowed-out onions stuffed with foie gras accompanied by tamarind gel and buckwheat crumbs; and slow-roasted wagyu with potato risotto and king mushrooms.

Lobster at Loloan Beach Bar & Grill.

Food and Drinks

Rumari, the resort’s signature restaurant, occupies the highest point of the property, offering a great vantage point to watch airplanes flying against the silhouette of Mount Batur before landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can plane-spot on the terrace over breakfast like bubuh Bali (a pandan rice porridge with tuna sambal matah ) or a croffle (a croissant-Belgian waffle hybrid) topped with cubes of juicy mango and basil-coconut sauce. Add on a well-being elixir, like the Perfect Remedy, an inflammation-blasting mix of beetroot, carrot, orange and ginger, or a tea like the immunity-boosting hibiscus, a sweet-tart local blend.

Once sunset arrives, the dark-wood-filled Rumari adopts a more upscale, sophisticated vibe. Select the seven- or nine-course menu to explore contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine (with optional mocktail or cocktail pairings). The Bali restaurant makes dinner interactive with a menu map that illustrates your food’s origins and a playful paper fortune teller explaining the restaurant’s sourcing philosophy — 80% of the seasonal ingredients come from the archipelago and 20% are imported. You’ll savor standouts like Bali bamboo lobster three ways (shredded with young mango, tempura and carpaccio) and North Sumatra heritage pork crowned with pork rinds and a side of tomato-chile chutney.

For a more casual atmosphere, Loloan Beach Bar & Grill provides alfresco dining near the pool and ocean. Don’t miss its adults-only Sunday brunch (the second and fourth Sundays), an indulgent feast featuring dish after dish, including truffle croissants with pumpkin puree for slathering; a seafood platter teeming with oysters, crab, Kaviari caviar, prawns and otoro tuna on ice; and wagyu tenderloin with potato espuma. The artisanal cheese board impresses — servers present a large spread of local options like Mazaraat farm’s creamy Brie and Moon River Dairy’s nutty Amaya cheddar, along with crackers, fruit and honey (drench everything in the delectable mango honey). Exquisite desserts arrive in small log canoes, followed by a petit fours buffet.

Upgrade to the Italian brunch for accompanying Italian wines, French for French pours, Luxury for a bottle of Krug champagne and other wines and Royal for a bottle of Dom Pérignon and more selections.

Be sure to visit The Writers Bar, where you can sip the Bali Sling, a riff on Raffles Singapore’s iconic cocktail with gin, arak (a Balinese spirit made of fermented sap), Dom Benedictine, spiced syrup, lemon juice, bitters, jackfruit puree, soursop, grenadine and soda.

The staff ensures you have a reviving vacation.

The Butlers

A hallmark of the Raffles brand is that all guests receive butler service. At Raffles Bali, the concept has been thoughtfully adapted to align with the island being a destination for those seeking spiritual and personal renewal. Raffles Bali’s wellbeing butlers tackle the tasks of traditional butlers — available around the clock, they do things like shuttle you around the property in an electric buggy and score reservations at a waiting-list-only restaurant — while also focusing on integrating wellness enhancements into all aspects of your stay.

These butlers act as your personal wellness concierge, offering tailored recommendations that extend far beyond standard spa treatments. They can do everything from create a calming atmosphere in your villa to arranging a private yoga or meditation class to ensure you find the serenity you seek. The wellbeing butlers’ attention to detail is evident in the small but meaningful touches they provide. After a long international flight, you might find a soothing herbal tea waiting in your villa that eases you into a reviving vacation.

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