Top 10 Best Country Homes in England

There’s nothing like a good Country Home, and in England we are absolutely spoilt for choice. From small country getaways, to gargantuan palaces and manors, i'm counting down my top 10 best Country Homes to visit in England. From one of the words largest privately owned Country Houses, to one of the most iconic Stately Homes to ever grace our TV screens, here are 10 of what I consider to the finest and most magnificent Country Homes in England.
eHeritage is a British Heritage travel blog that aims to promote an interest in Britain's history and heritage. If you enjoy this video and want to see more like this, then please do support me by subscribing to my channel and giving this video a phumbs up. Your support is massively appreciated and means I can keep making these videos!
For a transcript of this video please check out my blog article - eheritageuk.com/top-10-best-c...
Chapters -
0:00 Intro
0:51 Harewood House
1:59 Hardwick Hall
3:32 Highclere Castle
4:28 Longleat House
5:32 Lyme Park
6:38 Burghley House
7:51 Blenheim Palace
9:22 Chatsworth House
10:51 Castle Howard
12:18 Wentworth Woodhouse
Other videos -
Castle Howard Documentary: Inside England's most iconic Country Home - • Castle Howard: Inside ...
Tour of Castle Howard's grounds - • Castle Howard Grounds ...
Harewood House and grounds cinematic video - • Harewood House & Groun...
Inside Bolton Castle: A Cinematic video tour - • Inside Medieval Bolton...
Inside Burton Constable Hall: English Country House - • Inside Burton Constabl...
Inside Middleham Castle: English Medieval Castle - • Inside Middleham Castl...
Creative Commons -
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, by Godfrey Kneller, Rebel Redcoat at English Wikipedia
The Watson-Wentworth and Finch Families, by Charles Philips (1708-1747), collections.britishart.yale.e...
West front of Wentworth Wood house, photograph by Stephen Richards, www.geograph.org.uk/photo/484...
East front of Wentworth Woodhouse, photography by Dave Pickersgill, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Portrait of William Wentworth, 1st Earl of Stafford, Paul Carl Leygebe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@helenmartin9150]

A granny in Australia says...I have never had the experience of seeing a stately home in the "flesh", to my regret. How grateful I am that at this late stage of life I can take wonderful trips with entertaining people like yourself. I've watched zillions of these shows, but I really enjoy yours, as the love you have for these irreplaceable works of art shines through. I, like you, ADORE Castle Howard.

[@Xploreheritage]

Bless you Helen. As I’ve said before, it’s comments like this that make it all worth while. You might enjoy my latest video on Burghley House. Glad you love Castle Howard like I do 😊

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@eheritageofficial correct me if I'm wrong but how old is the English language I think it's been around since the 1600s. James Stuart edited the Bible but I'm not really sure

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@@XploreheritageI really like World History and England's History is really old. I don't know what language William Shakespeare spoke but my biological father is Isaac Newton and I just found this out

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@@XploreheritageIsaac lived in the 17th century and he didn't travel that much

[@stringer-ik1pc]

The wealth on this little island was truly amazing.

[@monikaadolf6253]

I love those Homes. Unfortunately the time to build likes this has passed.Beautiful homes and good manners and language has gone.

[@unionjack84]

I've visited Blenheim, Chatsworth, Castle Howard, and Longest. Blenheim is my absolute favorite. They are all grand and take your breath away. The expense for maintaining these homes must be significant. It must be stressful, dealing with the upkeep and maintenance of these homes. But at the same time, imagine how proud the families must feel, to be associated with so much history, and such breathtaking houses

[@Xploreheritage]

Yes aren’t they just fantastic! I can imagine they cost a small fortune to run. You can see why some of the larger homes charge so much for entry! Thanks for watching.

[@ausbrum]

and how lucky to be paying the bills from their tax homes in Cayman...

[@annaverano5843]

Stowe is always my favorite

[@fortnajt]

Hatfield House will always remain favorite to me. But these are breathtaking without a doubt.

[@BarbaraMcCreery]

​@@Xploreheritageno

[@melindadouglas1673]

We visited Blenheim Place when we were in England years ago and I was blown away by it. We don’t have anything like that in the States. I would love to go back to England one day and see the rest of the homes on this list.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Melinda, we are certainly very fortunate to have so many fantastic country homes. I really hope you get chance to visit again. I would love to visit the States!

[@melindadouglas1673]

@@Xploreheritage If you come be sure and go to New Orleans and the plantation homes all over Louisiana and Mississippi. That’s where the greatest concentration of historic homes are. Also the food and people are amazing!

[@Xploreheritage]

@@melindadouglas1673 I will bare that it mind! Thank you.

[@melindadouglas1673]

@samantha ssmith The US Capital is a public building not a privately built home. Biltmore is beautiful but nothing on the scale or detail of Blenheim Palace.

[@annonymously331]

@@melindadouglas1673 Biltmore is definitely on the same scale.

[@nikhilwason5396]

So polite about requesting likes and subscriptions, very refreshing from the common, low- tier, ubiquitous youtubers begging for patreon money and subscriptions. A class act! Well done! Hope you get the credit you deserve.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! I always feel bad asking for support, but it does help. Thanks for your comment 😊

[@luisefaulstich7685]

I loooove Lyme Park. Felt inlove with it when I saw it in Pride and Prejudice😍😍

[@Xploreheritage]

Isn’t it just gorgeous!? 🥰

[@davidcattin7006]

I can't imagine this kind of life. They are all amazing!

[@angelanoble3050]

Thank you for the introduction of these amazing houses - very interesting!

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure Angela. Glad you enjoyed!

[@ohshems]

Lovely to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed your choices of houses.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much John ☺️

[@maxwellconnors2407]

Very informative. When travel opens up, great reference video of houses to visit in England. Thank you.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, my pleasures! 😄

[@nickybenson3132]

A Wonderful Video. Thank you so much!!

[@brontewcat]

Enjoyed your video. I do like to go to historic homes, but probably more their history than architecture. I would dearly love to go to Burghley House and Hardwick Hall. What I find fascinating about these houses is that Cecil and Bess had already built two prodigy houses before these houses (Theobalds and Chatsworth), and owned other houses yet they went on to build more prodigy houses. I know it was necessary for the owners of big houses with big households to to own more than one large house as the household had to move periodically so the main house could be thoroughly cleaned, but to build on such scale is fascinating. Bess’s last husband was the Earl of Shrewsbury, and he had his own houses as well, so I am not even sure how much time Bess even lived in Chatsworth .

[@naomiweaver1855]

Thank you so much for doing this! It gives me a must-see guide for when I visit England.

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure Naomi, glad you enjoyed!

[@Gerry1of1]

FYI - Longleat is owned by the 8th Marquess of Bath. The 7th died of corono April last year. He was a crazy old koot - Loved Him !

[@Xploreheritage]

Oh yes that’s right, he was great! Thanks for commenting.

[@lostsoulsstudios]

I worked at and am hoping to volunteer at Wentworth Woodhouse for the first 6 months of 2022 and it’s amazing to see it as your number one choice, it is such a breathtaking and beautiful house that is filled with life by the people that visit and work there, and the events that are put on throughout the year, one of which I worked on myself!

[@Xploreheritage]

You are right, such a spectacular building! Good luck with you volunteering 👍

[@KandeShack]

Great video! Thank you!

[@Xploreheritage]

You’re welcome! Thanks so much 😄

[@misspaula7542]

Lovely list and so much beauty. Thank you✨✨✨

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed!

[@jacirasantanna7221]

Beautiful!

[@natashanikitina5303]

A very useful (and well done!) video for the future foreign visitors like me! Can't wait to visit all these wonderful places! Thank you from Italy!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! Really hope you get chance to visit soon’

[@ronaldproctor1776]

Fascinating quick tours, and excellent commentary. Thank you!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you 🙏

[@adeeliqbal3925]

Definitely subscribing! Loved the video!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@mytobytobster]

What a treasure your video is for everyone. It was such a treat to be transported back in time.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, I’m really glad you enjoyed!

[@blorac9869]

Enjoyed, TYVM!

[@niriaantonio9097]

What a great video. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you Niria, you are very kind!

[@janetbate2900]

Love the programme. Thank you.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 😊

[@brucewinther6926]

I have actually been to 4 of these homes and they are even more beautiful ( and large) in person---Hard to think of a person or families considering any of these HOME !! Love this channel and am thrilled to see anything English and this historic

[@Xploreheritage]

They sure are! Really glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks so much for commenting!

[@garycraigart3579]

Very enjoyable tour.Thank you. You have included my two favorite homes, Hardwick Hall and Longleat House. In that order. My favorites for two reasons. They have the largest windows, so they must be filled with light, and they are the ones I would most love to inhabit. I have seen many of these stately homes but, sadly, never these two.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Gary, thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the video! I agree, Longleat and Hardwick are both spectacular properties. I particularly love the scale of the interiors at Hardwick. Whilst not the largest country home, the interiors are magnificent and that Long Gallery is absolutely mind blowing! I would definitely recommend a visit.

[@margaretcaldarone1005]

Lovely, thank you so much for exposing us to these magnificent Palaces, called home. Great Voice.

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed!

[@pamelawright1369]

We have so many magnificent stately homes in Yorkshire so lucky. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@letstalkartmarket5508]

Great content! Thanks for uploading

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure 😊. Glad you enjoyed!

[@pichdara2860]

Most gorgeous I really love it

[@michelleali-mohammed5264]

These homes are absolutely amazing, I am completely overwhelmed by this video.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@pamelapeel4893]

Thank you for all your hard work ..loved this video❤

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed 🙏

[@bhekayaka8753]

Beautiful homes!

[@MC-mk1ec]

Great channel really enjoyed watching it, thanks

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it!

[@amyarcher3930]

What a wonderful, WONDERFUL video. Thank you so much for creating your interesting, detailed and well done programs. Keep going. This was a huge treat to find on this sunny Saturday over her on the East Coast of the USA. Thank you so much. KEEP GOING, Please. (I subscribed.)

[@Xploreheritage]

Bless you Amy, thank you so much for your lovely words ☺️

[@vickyvaliant8698]

Make this kind of things more...I love it 😀

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you Vicky, I am trying!

[@berylfleming2451]

Excellent and informative and every one of them ideal to visit for very different reasons. Perhaps some interior shots next time. Highclere has the fascinating Eqyptian Exhibition about Tutankhamen's tomb discovery, its history and treasures but they are all fascinating in so many ways. Thank you. Makes one long to get out and about again! Beryl Fleming

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for your comment and feedback! I would have loved to have used more interior shots but I need to be careful that I have the rights to the images. I’d definitely love to do a future video on most opulent interiors 😄

[@leelongshaw1940]

Great show, keep it up. Subscribed.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much!

[@sjgreene785]

Thank you for sharing the speechless works of art, and not to mention the history. It reminds me of a world bigger than where I stand, and I will visit.

[@Xploreheritage]

Absolutely my pleasure 😊

[@pamelaevans6485]

Very interesting, fascinating places. Would love to get over the pond some day to visit. Thank you; will travel vicariously through your vlogs for now.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much Pamela, really glad you enjoyed!

[@jamesa1918]

Excellent choices, some absolute stunners, thrilled to see Wentworth Woodhouse is your number 1! We really are spoiled for choice in England when it comes to stately homes. I love hearing a bit about their histories and construction, and will be keeping a close eye on your channel!

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi James, I appear to have missed your comment! Terribly sorry! Thank you so much for your support.

[@bobhadley3832]

Wentworth Woodhouse and Castle Howard are my favoites along with Blenheim. Thank you for featuring them.

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure 😊

[@robertldesigns]

I so enjoyed this!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed!

[@Jossianne19130]

Thank you for making me dream of long gone "belle epoque"...I simply love history!!!

[@Xploreheritage]

Really glad you enjoyed! Thank you 😊

[@angesanfilippo43]

Very enjoyable tour, thank you. I've always been fascinated by these wonderful stately houses. When I was in Nottingham as an au-pair, I lived near Wollaton Hall and visited Chatsworth.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for your comment. Really glad you enjoyed! Wollaton Hall is absolutely wonderful 😍

[@siriluckworsfold]

Great clips 👌

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@cq9882]

Found you channel in my feed. A fantastic and very interesting overview. I enjoyed watching this so much. Thank You. 👏🇦🇺

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@LCNWA]

Awesome!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you ☺️

[@L_Jan_Turner]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure 😊

[@lindanorris3226]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PLACE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING US 💙✅🌎

[@Xploreheritage]

Glad you enjoyed! Thank you.

[@zarabwz]

Thank you for the brilliant video! It has inspired me to visit the Burleigh house and it worth the travel! Planning to come to York at the first opportunity and visit two recommended houses there too👍😊

[@Xploreheritage]

That’s really good to hear! York is a beautiful city, you are really spoilt for choice with things to do! Thanks so much for your lovely comment ☺️

[@wuruking]

Great Video. My favourite ten country houses in England are (in no specific order): Castle Howard (North Yorkshire), Harewood House (West Yorkshire), Chatsworth (Derbyshire), Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire), Burleigh House (Lincolnshire), Houghton Hall (Norfolk), Holkham Hall (Norfolk), Woburn Abbey (Bedfordshire), Wilton House (Wiltshire) and Longleat (Wiltshire). Note that I have visited more than 500 historic house and castles in England, Scotland and Wales.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! And thanks for sharing your favourites. I haven’t actually been to Wilton, but desperate to visit!

[@wuruking]

@@Xploreheritage Have you been to Houghton and Holkham in Norfolk?

[@t.r.9542]

thnx so much for your beautiful work. Hope you will make a long video of every country home you mentioned in this video

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you, and I would absolutely love to!

[@fnanette1]

Absolutely wonderful. I was in the UK often and for long periods of time while teaching in Glasgow. These beautiful homes bring back some of my best day’s adventures visiting as many as I could. 🇨🇦

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@usharavi4152]

Good information, very helpful for students, enjoyed a lot

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks very much ☺️

[@jaybarrows2526]

I thought you did a great job! I certainly enjoyed it! Good luck with future videos. I like love the history and background.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you for your kind words Jay 😊

[@DocNubbin]

Thanks for a great video - I agree that Wentworth House (as the locals call it) is truly the most astonishing house in England. Not only that, the huge stables are the equal of many lesser country homes, and the now restored Camelia house still contains some of the oldest and rarest Camelias in existence anywhere in the world. The restoration is well under way, and despite it being off the usual tourist trail, I would urge anyone vising England to make the effort of booking a tour. Also, there are loads of videos on youTube detailing the restoration of the house, so have a look at those. (I have a soft spot for the place as I lived and worked in Rotherham for 30 years!)

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed. I’ve been invited back in a couple of weeks to see the restored Camelia house and enjoy some food! Can’t wait 😊

[@toddbonin6926]

I’m so glad I found your channel. These are excellent videos. I’ve only visited Castle Howard. It’s magnificent. The grounds are breathtaking. I hope to visit Blenheim Palace on my next trip to England ... though Lyme is now tugging at my heart strings. Thank you for sharing your love of England with the rest of us Anglophiles.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you so much for your comments, I’m really glad you enjoy my videos! I’m hoping to make many more as places start to open up again.

[@AdamExploresBritain]

I actually prefer Castle Howard to Blenheim. Blenheim just came across as too much of a monument rather than something to be lived in. When I went to Castle Howard it was also vast but seemed a bit more 'homely' and I much preferred the grounds and garden ornaments. Blenheim was spectacular though :)

[@joanellemulrain2454]

❤ Excellent - Wentworth Woodhouse is truly extraordinary - only a short ride from London, it is not to be missed.

[@deborahjordan9688]

Beautiful estates well done 👍🏻 love your videos 👍🏻♥️

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Thank you 🙏 eheritage

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure Jake 👊

[@oliverkent7158]

Went to Burghley yesterday. Somewhat Chatsworthian. The Great Hall and walk and ceiling art were magnificent.

[@Xploreheritage]

Such an incredible place 😊

[@tiagoalfredo9998]

Please we need more!!!

[@sp-bl1sl]

Thank you for your videos from an American who is addicted to England's country houses. Are you in Yorkshire? Wondering if you have been to Brodsworth? Have been to several of these houses and have to agree. Blenheim makes the Vatican seem cozy, and I am hoping to be allowed to haunt Chatsworth after I die--coming over the hill and seeing it for the first time, with the sunlight hitting the gilded west windows at dusk, was one of the greatest moments of my life. Chatsworth's single flaw is that Robert Adam never worked there, although the set piece he would have created would pale compared to the many layers of Chatsworth as it is. Kedleston nearby, is such a set piece and is definitely in my top ten. I'd also add Osterley Park even though it's proximity to London precludes it being considered a country house. I love the fact that you can take the tube to see it, and it feels like you are on a country estate just a few miles from Heathrow! Harewood is very high on my list (all that Chippendale!), and greatly looking froward to Wentworth being open to the public on a regular basis. Keep up the good work!

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi there. Thank you for your comment. I am indeed from Yorkshire, and yes absolutely love Brodsworth! Harewood is a fantastic house so really hope you get chance to visit someday soon. Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏

[@DocNubbin]

Brodsworth is beautiful and was somewhere I knew about having grown up a few miles away. It is also worth passing through the extraordinary village Hooton Pagnell, about a mile away, whose own country house has been in the same family for 300 years or more, although there has been a house there for nearly 1000 years. The family also owned the village, allowing almost no new buildings there, resulting in a village almost unchaged for hundreds of years. The village population is almost exactly the same in number as it was when the Domesday Book recorded it! The church there plays tunes on its bells every hour. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppzLqZmdaNmppdU&ab_channel=RingerDylan (As I've mentioned above, Wentworth is open for tours now!)

[@pogosmama1]

Harwick must a fortune to heat with all that glass. No double glazing in those days. Beautiful.

[@Xploreheritage]

Aye, not to mention with all the restoration work going on!

[@andreaedwards8644]

I'm really delighted to have discovered your channel and this thoroughly interesting video. I'm Australian and I am so privileged to be able to say that I've visited seven of these spectacular sites. Once things settle again and the world has learnt to live with COVID, I'll return to see the other three, starting with Burghley House....how spectacular! I look forward to all of your future offerings. Thank you so very much from one grateful Australian.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Andrea, thank you so much for your kind words! That’s great that you have visited so many. You won’t be disappointed with Burghley, it is truly spectacular! I really hope you get the opportunity to come over soon ☺️

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

I live near Burghley, it really is stunning! Check out nearby Stamford in Lincolnshire, probably the finest stone town in England. Hatfield House in Hertfordshire is also excellent, its where 'The Favourite' was filmed. It should have been included in this top 10.

[@Xploreheritage]

@@LLLLLLLLLucas You are right, Stamford is absolutely stunning. I am also a big fan of Hatfield, and like you somebody else said it should be in the top 10. Rest assured I’ll be doing more videos like this, and no doubt Hatfield will feature!

[@andreaedwards8644]

@@LLLLLLLLLucas Thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll add them to my long list of must see places. I can't begin to tell you how fortunate you are to live in such a wonderful country. How I wish I was able to permanently relocate. All of my great grandparents hail from the UK, but alas not my grandparents, otherwise I would be there well and truly. Again I thank you and hope to be on English soil again really soon. 😊

[@bcfairlie1]

I totally agree with this list.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you!

[@bogigalamb2141]

I love your videos 🤗 so impressive 👍😁keep going

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you, really appreciate that 🙏

[@susansantapola]

Lyme is a Fabulous exhibition of architecture, local for us, still dubious aquired wealth though. Fabulous commentary as usual, thank you.

[@originaltommy]

Thumbs up! Subscribed! Nice to be here!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, great to have you!

[@ericmoore571]

I totally agree with the order of the top four! Wentworth Woodhouse is amazing! I can't wait to see it restored to all it's former glory

[@Xploreheritage]

It’s already looking pretty stunning 😍

[@ngokafranklin7760]

Marvelous home 🏡💯

[@Xploreheritage]

Sure is 😍

[@jofereday7213]

Been to Chatsworth, my favourite 😍 many times, Harewood, Castle Howard, all about an hours drive from us, but Wentworth is about 10 minutes away 🤣 Yorkshire & Derbyshire are beautiful county’s & it’s great to live here 🥰

[@Xploreheritage]

You are very lucky to live there! Gotta love Chatsworth! I have a bit of a soft spot for Harewood, and the parkland is absolutely stunning. I live literally down the road from Castle Howard so am so lucky! And of course Wentworth is absolutely spectacular. Thanks for you comment, hope you enjoyed the video!

[@MrNooneseesme]

Top selection and I've only visited one , Burghley House and what was intended to be perhaps an hour and half visit ended up being all day and then thats never enough to soak up what can be seen and the atmosphere. The other are so far away and with no car they are a pilgrimage and a half but still I hope to see at some of them. Thank you very much for the upload

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks very much! Well you have certainly visited one of the best! Burghley House is absolutely spectacular. I’m actually planning a short documentary on it. Hope you get the opportunity to visit the others!

[@MrNooneseesme]

@@Xploreheritage I could stop swooning and cooing and goodness knows what!

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Wonderful places 🤗

[@Xploreheritage]

They sure are 😍

[@marcus8258]

Really well put together interesting video. Nice to know so many of them are in my native Yorkshire! Subscribed:-)

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you so much, it’s comments like this that keep me going 😀

[@marcus8258]

Well deserved. Keep up the good work:-)

[@paulvonkleist3257]

I really love exterior of Belvoir Castle. The interior is also very beautiful indeed. But the exterior is inspiring. It must slip under the radar of most people, because I have maybe seen it one time in the countless videos I’ve watch of “UKs grandest homes ect..”

[@Xploreheritage]

It is indeed a very beautiful building, although I have to admit I haven’t ever been!

[@anne-marie2972]

Imagine to live in one of those beautiful histotical houses😍. I subscribed 💕.

[@AdamExploresBritain]

A good selection. I might have included Waddesdon or Stowe for various reasons but it's a tight call :)

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you! Good choices 😍

[@markwell4720]

Lovely photography

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much 😊

[@petercehily2687]

Wonderful houses. I love Castle Howard the best. I was a bit surprised that Knole House did not make the list

[@Xploreheritage]

Good shout! I intend on doing more top lists, so perhaps Knole will feature!

[@creatoremterrae7933]

What grandeur, magnificent, beautiful, breathtaking, aristocratic , palatial houses. 🏘️🏘️💖💖😍

[@Xploreheritage]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mcraig1969]

Thank you for a great tour. It is unlikely I will be of good health and resources to visit the "Motherland" of my family your videos provide me the means to explore and admire as I should have wished .

[@greggdoty3076]

Visited Castle Howard--loved it, though it's a bit of an architectural Frankenstein. Chatsworth is on my Bucket List. Have also visited Syon and Osterley...though I'm not sure if those qualify as "country," though surely they did at the time they were built. Loved 'em both. Anyway, thanks for sharing. If this f(*king pandemic dies enough for to get back to the UK (I live in Houston) I will SO be heading for Chatsworth...maybe one or two more of these. Thanks for the video!

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Gregg, it’s my pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the video! I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Castle Howard, but I do appreciate the architecture isn’t for everyone. Castle Howard is a fantastic example of the Baroque style, but the disparity between this and the later Palladian additions is something that has been both liked and loathed by its owners. I would certainly recommend a visit to Burghley House if you ever get a change. The interiors are spectacular!

[@viviengardiner1840]

I am currently reading ‘ Black Diamonds ‘ by Catherine Bailey. It records the rise and fall of the Fitzwilliam Family who lived at Wentworth so I found your video s when searching. Love your enthusiasm for stately homes and your very impressive knowledge. It has struck me though how these houses were built by the aristocracy who became very rich through the hard work and often horrific lives of the ‘ lower classes’. Wentworth was extended due the the huge wealth created because the land had huge coal supplies underneath that was mined by men and children who earnt hardly enough to feed their families. Many lives were lost in doing so. Think it’s important that while we marvel at and enjoy these wonderful houses we do not forget their origins lie during massive social disparity which should be mentioned when telling their history .

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Vivien . Yes, a few people have mentioned that book to me, and I really do keep meaning to check it out. Of course what you say is absolutely true and it would be wrong to pretend that none of that really happened. That’s why I like however that so many of these places are now open to the public so that these tragic stories cannot be forgotten and future generations can learn about past injustices. You can still appreciate the incredible architecture however. Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts 😄

[@lisawentworth6831]

By the time the Fitzwilliams came into possession, as they were the coal barons, the house was basically as you see it. Watson-Wentworth, who was a political figure, was largely credited with the remodel from the more modest Jacobean home. The Fitzwilliams were considered, even by their workers, more benevolent employers and treated them well; paid higher, invited them to annual parties, and even helped them out in crisis. With that said, in no way would I want to be in the poorer classes back in the day...being wealthy would provide a much better and longer lifestyle. Many of the other houses mentioned gained their fortune from slavery, so money was often from unsavory means. In fact, Wentworth Castle mentioned in the video gained funds from slavery. The Wentworths were landed gentry, there many centuries before the build of particular house, and got their fortune from land, and were at one point the 6th wealthiest and 12th largest landowners in England...of course the way one got land was often feudal wars...so history is not exactly pretty...but the houses are!

[@bettyhipolito969]

Those Architects were all gineus ,because of those beautiful Palaces,historic,classic,antiques,centuries ago.

[@darrenshi9749]

Very good list!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much ☺️

[@expecto1982]

Harewood is one of the Oldest Houses. It served many functions over the years, including the Seattle Temple of Justice.

[@maryhirsch7170]

Lovely site

[@lindsaykatecole]

You forgot Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire! This one definitely deserves to be on a future list 🤌🏻

[@Xploreheritage]

Yes, good shout 👍

[@rosalinacardoso1905]

Obrigada.

[@RockerTopper-hh3ru]

I think I have about 10,000 or so fellow alumni who would argue Harlaxton Manor in Grantham (which people may recognize from its appearance in Young Victoria) should also be on this list.

[@Xploreheritage]

Ah yes, a very striking building! It's hard choosing a top 10, so many beautiful houses to choose from! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@bubbaclark4355]

Oh to be grand !

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

I love to see some more, especially those of more modest scale.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you for your comments Kimberly. Hoping to ramp up the filming as lockdown eases. Out of interest, what sort of videos do you want to see? Do you like the cinematic video tours, or do you like me talking a bit about the history too?

[@CopenhagenDreaming]

@@Xploreheritage Personally I love the history bit; it adds context to some pretty images when you know a bit about when, how, why and who...

[@Xploreheritage]

@@CopenhagenDreaming Thanks for the feedback! I think this is how I will make videos moving forwards.

[@esleyhamilton4056]

I would add in Derbyshire Kedleston, the most ambitious and complete interior by Robert Adam, and Haddon Hall, one of the most beautiful houses representing the period just before the prodigy houses.

[@Xploreheritage]

Good shout! I am a massive fan of both 🥰

[@johnholt9399]

Brave, but in view of its potential correct to put Wentworth Woodhouse first. Maybe Woburn and/or Kedleston Hall would be ones to have considered? I have recently been inside Wellbeck Abbey which is magnificent, but has only limited public access and for years was completely closed if you ever get chance do go. Syon is also incredible inside. I want to visit Holkham, Houghton and Boughton as major ones I am yet to visit.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi John. Yes I think Wentworth is absolutely incredible, and it has so much potential. The work that has already been done is amazing, but when it’s finished it is going to be truly world class. Good shout with Kedleston and Holkham, both are spectacular country homes! I haven’t been to Wellbeck but looks lovely! Thanks for watching and for your comment.

[@angelahankins9148]

Excellent list, we’re lucky to live near to Burghley. Just one comment - we also have Apethorpe Palace nearby so maybe Blenheim is not the only non-royal palace.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you for commenting, I’m glad you enjoyed the video! You are indeed very fortunate to live so close to Burghley 😃

[@sarahmillard6401]

Apethorpe was a royal palace - it was owned by the Tudors and subsequently the Stuarts 😀

[@keithdallan]

Love the Northern bias here!