Historic Houses has two outstanding properties in the Greater Manchester area which are open for visitors throughout the year, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and Bramall Hall. Hence on a recent visit to Manchester during the Christmas holiday period, we were able spend an enjoyable day visiting both properties. We started at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, a small […]
The seaside town of Lytham St Annes is just a few miles south of Blackpool on the Fylde coast in West Lancashire. It sees itself very much as the upmarket neighbour and Lytham Hall near the centre of Lytham St Annes fits well with that image. This Palladian style house dating from 1764 is the only […]
Cumbria is well endowed with properties that are free to enter for members of Historic Houses, with ten in total spread around this large, scenic county. During a short visit to Cumbria in June 2021, we managed to visit three of these sites in one afternoon. All three are just a few miles south of […]
Northamptonshire is well endowed with stately homes and gardens that are included in the Historic Houses free-to-visit category. We managed to visit two of them, Althorp Estate and Holdenby House, on an overcast, drizzly Sunday in July. This was towards the end of the pandemic lockdown, so prior booking was required at both properties and […]
Chillingham Castle in the north of Northumberland is an atmospheric, medieval fortress. We found it quite mesmerising looking around the ancient building, the formal gardens and the hillside parkland and lakes. Originally the site of a monastery, the present building dates back to the 13th Century but with many modifications along the way. Its strategic […]
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Historic Houses Warwickshire: Stoneleigh Abbey and Grounds
A dull, rainy, February afternoon was very much brightened by our visit to the historic Stoneleigh Abbey in Warwickshire. This property, part of the Historic Houses portfolio, is unusual in being open throughout the year, from Sunday through to Thursday every week. Entry to the property is via the 14th Century brick Gatehouse, a remnant […]