14 Jul 2017
But we can’t help thinking what it would be like to move into some of the best stately homes in the country.
There are still many castles and palaces around the country that continue to be the homes of some prestigious families. We take a look at some of them and give you a guide to the 6 stately homes we would love to move into.
Blenheim Palace
Possibly one of the most famous stately homes in the UK, Blenheim Palace is still the family home and residence of the Churchill family. This has been the case since John Churchill became the 1st Duke of Marlborough in 1704 and was awarded a manor house to build a palace. The grand stately home is located in Oxfordshire and sits on a vast array of parks and gardens. Today though, the palace serves as much more than just a home, as the estate houses various business and enterprises. It was opened to the public in 1950 but still remains the residence of the Duke of Marlborough.
You can find out more information about the castle on their website.
Burghley House
Another great stately home that we wish we could move into is Burghley House in Lincolnshire. It is one of the last great examples of Elizabethan architecture and is still lived in by the Cecil family. The house dates back hundreds of years and was built for Sir William Cecil, a close associate of Queen Elizabeth I between 1558 and 1587. Although much of the outside architecture remains the same, the interiors underwent huge remodelling before 1800. Although the Cecil family still live in the house, it is now owned by a charitable trust and opened to the public.
You can find out more information about the castle and how to visit on their website.
Chatsworth House
This stately home is situated in the Derbyshire Dales and is still home to the Duke of Devonshire and the Cavendish family. It has been their home since 1549 and is another example of Elizabethan architecture. The house is also famous amongst lover of literature as it is believed to be the inspiration for Pemberley House in the famous novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. Much like many other stately homes around the country, it is open to the public and available for event bookings. It also contains an important collection of old master paintings and neoclassical sculptures.
Find out more about the house and how to visit on their website here.
Mellerstain House
One of the greatest stately homes in Scotland is Mellerstain House, located in the Borders, north of Kelso. The house is still home to the 14th Earl of Haddington and is one of the historical monuments of Scotland. The mansion house was designed by Robert Adam and finished in the 1820s and is one of the only remaining completed buildings designed by him. The house is notable for its exquisite interiors, with many of the original features still intact. The drawing room, for example, features original silk brocade wall coverings. It is open to the public today so you can visit the magnificent grounds of this stately home.
For more information about how to visit, take a look at their website.
Castle Howard
This stately home in North Yorkshire is the private residence and family home of the Howard family and has been so for more than 300 years. Although the house is not an actual castle, the term was also used for English country houses that were built on the grounds of a former military castle. The house itself has a rich history and was the residence of the Earl of Sandwich for many years. It will be familiar to those who saw the popular TV series of the film adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, as the house plays host to the production. It is now open to the public so you can explore the vast grounds.
For more information on how to visit, head to their website today.
