There are two spectacular, historical moated houses just ten miles apart near Tonbridge in West Kent. Hever Castle, which dates back to 1270, is part of the Historic Houses collection of heritage properties, whereas Ightham Mote, which dates back to 1320, is a National Trust managed site. I spent a full day visiting the extensive […]
I was curious to find out why there are two Wentworth stately homes, Wentworth Woodhouse and Wentworth Castle, just a few miles apart near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. Apparently this was as a result of a family dispute. Thomas Wentworth, Baron Raby, expected to inherit the stately home of Wentworth Woodhouse from his grandfather, Sir […]
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 […]
Chastleton House is only about fifteen miles away from Blenheim Palace, yet these two Oxfordshire stately homes are worlds apart. Chastleton House is a down-to-earth, unrestored Jacobean country home, with none of the magnificent Baroque opulence of Blenheim Palace. The National Trust states that Chastleton House has been ‘preserved’ in the condition in which they […]
*** See below for Special Offer of £10 National Trust gift card with annual membership*** The National Trust owns over five hundred historic houses, castles, archaeological and industrial monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and includes UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Fountains Abbey and The Giant’s Causeway. But which […]
• For a £5 discount on new membership, use code STEW05 on the Historic Houses website.
• To get a £10 National Trust gift card with membership by direct debit, click on National Trust.
Short Break in Ireland: Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Belfast, Bushmills
In our one week short break in Ireland, we visited some of its greatest cities and most phenomenal natural features.