 |
 |
|||||
   |
 |
|||||
   |
       |
|||||
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Country Homes in UKSearch for attractions in the UK here! Appuldurcombe House - Isle of WightThe shell of Appuldurcombe, once the grandest house on the Isle of Wight, stands in its own‘Capability’ Brown-designed grounds. An exhibition of photographs and prints depicts the house and its history. Apsley House - LondonFrom April 2004, English Heritage has been given responsibility for the care and presentation of Apsley House. Home to Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, and his descendants, this internationally important property has for over 200 years been known colloquially as ‘No 1 London’, as it was the first house to be encountered after passing the tollgates at the top of Knightsbridge. Audley End House and Gardens - EssexAudley End House was commissioned by Thomas, first Earl of Suffolk, on the scale of a royal palace, to entertain his monarch, James I. Unfortunately, Suffolk fell out of favour in the 1620s, shortly after the completion of the house, which then became a drain on his and his successors’ resources. Biddulph Grange Garden - StaffordshireThe extraordinary gardens of Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire are a wonder to behold. You can experience styles from across the world within the confines of these gardens. Created around 150 years ago, Biddulph Grange Garden is the product of an extraordinary imagination. Designed in the mid 19th century as a series of connecting 'compartments', one of Britain's most exciting and unusual gardens. Featuring the imitation of the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian Court as well as pinetum, rock-gardens and fernery. James Bateman designed it as a rich and varied series of 'gardens within a garden', to amaze and impress his friends and visitors. Bishops Waltham Palace - HampshireThese are the ruins of a medieval palace (together with later additions) used by the medieval senior clergy of Winchester when they travelled around their diocese. The Winchester diocese was the richest in England and its palaces were grandiose and extravagantly appointed. Much of what can be seen today is the work of William Wykeham (1324-1404). There is an exhibition on the Winchester bishops on the first floor of the farmhouse. Boscobel House and the Royal Oak - ShropshireBoscobel House was built around 1632, when John Gifford of Whiteladies converted a timber-framed farmhouse into a hunting lodge. The Gifford family were Catholics, at a time when the religion was outlawed. Tradition holds that the true purpose of Boscobel was to serve as a secret place for the shelter of Catholics in time of need.The house was, however, destined for greater importance. Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, his eldest son made a brave attempt to regain the throne, but his hopes were crushed at Worcester in the final conflict of the Civil War. Young Charles was forced to flee for his life. Initially, the future King Charles II set out to cross the River Severn into Wales, but found his way blocked by Cromwell’s patrols. Brinkburn Priory - NorthumberlandBrinkburn Priory was founded C. 1135 as a house for the Augustinian canons. The scenic 10-minute walk down from the car park passes some gnarled and ancient trees, which frame the visitor’s first and finest view of the church. This, the only complete surviving building of the monastery, was probably begun soon after Brinkburn was founded. The manor house attached to the Priory is currently undergoing restoration work. Brodsworth Hall and Gardens - South YorkshireCharles Sabine Augustus Thellusson inherited the Brodsworth estate in 1859 and decided to commission a new mansion to replace the old 18th-century house. Designed in the Italianate style and decorated and furnished in the opulent fashion of the 1860s, it retains much of its original scheme to this day, making it one of England’s most complete surviving Victorian country houses.Inside the entrance hall, the marbled walls and scagliola columns form a prelude to the splendours of the inner halls and reception rooms beyond. Rich, decorative schemes are found throughout the house, with the halls forming an elegant setting for a succession of marble statues. Chiswick House - LondonOne of the most glorious examples of 18th-century British architecture, Chiswick House was designed by the third Earl of Burlington (1694-1753). A promoter of the Palladian style pioneered by Inigo Jones, Burlington sought to create the kind of house and garden found in the suburbs of ancient Rome. To do this, he employed William Kent to design sumptuous interiors to contrast with the pure white exterior. An exhibition and video tell the story of the house, grounds and Lord Burlington, including his ‘grand tours’ of Europe. As you walk through the house, take in the splendour of the Gallery with its beautiful painted and gilded ceiling, and discover the Red, Blue and Green Velvet rooms. Then step into the classical gardens – a perfect complement to the house itself. The grounds are fascinating – look for the unique statuary in the Italianate gardens and the recently restored water cascade. Cotehele - St DominickAt the heart of this riverside estate sits the granite and slatestone house of Cotehele, built mainly between 1485 and 1560 with later modifications, and a home of the Edgcumbe family for centuries. Intimate chambers feature large Tudor fireplaces and rich hangings. Outside, the formal gardens overlook the richly planted valley garden below, with medieval dovecote, stewpond and Victorian summer house, and 18th-century tower above. At the Quay interesting old buildings house the Edgcumbe Arms tea-room and an outstation of the National Maritime Museum. The restored Tamar sailing barge Shamrock is moored alongside. A network of footpaths throughout the estate provides a variety of riverside and woodland walks with nature conservation and industrial archaeology interest. Down House - LondonDown House was the home of Charles Darwin and his family. It was at Down House that Darwin worked on the scientific theories that culminated in the publication, in 1859, of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection – the book that both scandalised and revolutionised the Victorian world. The house, built in the late 18th century, remains much as it was when Darwin lived here. The rooms on the ground floor have been furnished to reflect the domestic life of the family, while the study holds his writing desk, chair and numerous objects connected with his work. The first floor offers an interactive exhibition on his life, his research and his discoveries. Eltham Palace - LondonA showpiece of early 20th-century design with a fascinating history. Discover the only English Art Deco house open to the public, built on a site of great antiquity and joined to a medieval hall. Commissioned by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld and completed in 1936, the house was filled with the latest all-electric gadgets, including audio system, centralised vacuum cleaner and under-floor heating. The exteriors boast fine sculptures by artists little known today (Alfred Hardiman and Gilbert Ledward), but whose works can be seen all over London. The whole house is a fascinating and eclectic mix of high-style, French-influenced Art Deco, ultra-smart ocean-liner style and cutting-edge Swedish design. Fenton HouseHandsome 17th-century merchant’s house with walled garden. Set in the winding streets of Hampstead village, this late 17th-century house contains an outstanding collection of porcelain, 17th-century needlework pictures and Georgian furniture, and the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments, most of which are in working order. The delightful walled garden includes fine displays of roses, an orchard and a working kitchen garden. Greenbank Garden - GlasgowA one-hectare (2.5-a) walled garden and 6 ha (15a) of policies surround the elegant Georgian house, built in 1764 for a Glasgow merchant. If you are looking for ideas, inspiration and practical tips for your own garden, then a visit ot Greenbank is a must. The walled garden in the grounds of Greenbank House has been designed to showcase new ideas and techniques for domestic gardens. There are 30 different areas to see, containing 3,600 named plants as well as important collections of Narcissus and Bergenia. Guided tours available, Shop, tearoom, toilets, Wheelchairs available. No dogs in garden please. Houses of ParliamentThe Houses of Parliament, otherwise known as The Palace of Westminster, stands on the site where Edward the Confessor had the original palace built in the first half of the eleventh century. In 1547 the royal residence was moved to Whitehall Palace, but the Lords continued to meet at Westminster, while the commons met in St. Stephen's Chapel. Ever since these early times, the Palace of Westminster has been home to the English Parliament. In 1834 a fire broke out which destroyed much of the old palace, all that remained was the chapel crypt, The Jewel Tower and Westminster Hall. It was Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister, who saved the great hall by arranging for the fire engines to be brought right into the hall and personally supervising the fire fighting operation. Longleat House and Safari Park - WarminsterDiscover the magnificent animals which roam the first Safari Park outside Africa from the comfort of your own car… see how you measure up to a giraffe, watch out for the zebras crossing, wander amongst the wallabies in wallaby wood and be enthralled by the majestic lions and tigers! Set in more than 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland with a further 8,000 acres of woodlands, lakes and farmland, Longleat combines the magic of the old with the marvels of the new. As well as being the first stately home to open its doors to the public, Longleat was also the first place, outside Africa, to open a Safari Park. And, after more than 36 years, Longleat is still one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions. Lyme Park - StockportGreat estate with lavishly decorated house and fine gardens. A Tudor house transformed into a huge Italianate palace in the 18th century. Tranquil Victorian garden, with roses, reflection lake and sunken parterre. Vast medieval deer park, moorland and woodland estate to explore. Famous scene in 'Pride & Prejudice' (1995) where Darcy emerges from a lake was filmed here.Adventure playground and lots of children's events throughout the year. An essentially eighteenth century house with a nineteenth century garden and a 4000 acre deer park. The garden has an orangery, elaborate bedding displays, a 'Dutch' garden (described as an 'Italian' garden when it was made), a woodland garden in a ravine, a lake, a lime avenue and a herbaceous border designed by Graham Stuart Thomas for the National Trust. The Banqueting House - Whitehall PalaceThe Banqueting House, opposite Horse Guards Parade, is the sole surviving complete building of Whitehall Palace, the sovereign's principal residence until the reign of William III.
|
England | Scotland | Wales
| Northern Ireland
| Main Towns |
Worldwide HOTELS.UK.COM A to Z bar of Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfasts |
|
