Historic England - Stately homes

There are a number of magnificent stately homes offering public access dotted around the English countryside. Whether you want to marvel at the architecture, gaze adoringly at the furniture or enjoy what’s on offer in the grounds there’s lots to explore. Read on for a region by region account of our grand designs.

East of England

Visit one of our historic houses - there are so many to choose from: the Jacobean gems of Audley End House (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0231902) and Blickling Hall (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0232309); the eccentric oval-shaped Ickworth (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0170511); and 18th C. Woburn Abbey (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/aviation-heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0221750), home of the Dukes of Bedford.

Palladian-style Holkham Hall forms part of a great agricultural estate. Turn back the clock under the gaze of the gothic gargoyles and turrets at Knebworth House (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&ShowChannels=&feature=2&venue=0173239&easi=true), then re-live Tudor times at the fantastic annual re-creations of Kentwell Hall (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0171083) Jacobean Hatfield House (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/gardens/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0180653) is where Queen Elizabeth I spent her childhood in the adjacent Old Palace. Whilst at Royal Sandringham (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/gardens/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0161293), the present Queen has her country retreat.

Find out more about heritage in the East of England

East Midlands

Track down a giant foot from Ancient Greece, the fan of a Rolls Royce jet engine, and a unique illusionist painting of a violin hanging on a door – just three of the many curiosities to be found at Chatsworth (www.chatsworth.org/), Britain's finest stately home.

Climb the northeast tower of Wingfield Manor and gaze out on the same view enjoyed by Mary Queen of Scots (who was imprisoned here after suffering "grief of the spleen" in the harsher conditions of Bolton Castle). And don't miss Haddon Hall (www.haddonhall.co.uk/), the most perfect home in England to have survived since the Middle Ages. Little wonder it has featured in so many films and period dramas.

More info on country houses around the East Midlands

South East England

Sir Winston Churchill lived at Chartwell near Westerham and loved the views over the English countryside. He was born at Blenheim Palace (www.blenheimpalace.com/), Woodstock, home of his ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough.

You can’t miss the eccentric Royal Pavilion (www.royalpavilion.org.uk/) in Brighton because this seaside residence of King George IV was built to be noticed. Queen Victoria was not amused by its exuberance and built her sea-side home, Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight. Set in lovely grounds, the cosy family rooms are as interesting as the State Rooms.

More info on historic buildings in England’s South East

Yorkshire

This region is home to two of the stateliest of Stately homes. For magnificent formal gardens visit Castle Howard (www.castlehoward.co.uk) and Harewood House (www.harewood.org) – fantastic examples of English beauty and history. You can find re-enactments and period interpreters throughout Yorkshire’s historic properties. Look out for English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk/) and National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/) properties for listings of re-enactments in the region.