The house, dating from 1600, is built on the site of an Augustinian priory, and contains the famous Fairhaven collection of paintings and furniture. It is surrounded by an outstanding 40ha (99-acre) landscape garden and arboretum, with wonderful statues and year-round floral interest, including a display of hyacinths in spring, magnificent herbaceous borders and dahlia garden in summer, and a new winter walk and extensive snowdrop collection. A watermill in the grounds is in full working order with regular milling on Saturdays and flour for sale.
King Henry VIII gave Walden Abbey to Sir Thomas Audley, who transformed it into his mansion, Audley End. Despite ups and downs in its fortunes, Audley End remains one of England's grandest country homes with over 30 lavishly decorated rooms to enjoy and explore. The sumptuous interior is largely due to the third Baron Braybrooke who inherited Audley End in 1825, filling it with treasures including paintings by Masters such as Holbein and Canaletto.
The crowning achievement of Restoration country house architecture, Belton was built in 1685-88 and later altered by James Wyatt. The stunning interiors contain exceptionally fine plasterwork and wood-carving, as well as important collections of paintings, furniture, tapestries and silverware. There are also formal gardens, an orangery, a magnificent landscape park and a large adventure playground.
Built in the early 17th century and one of England's great Jacobean houses, Blickling is famed for its spectacular long gallery, superb library and fine collections of furniture, pictures and tapestries. The gardens are full of colour throughout the year and the extensive parkland features a lake and a series of beautiful walks.
Burghley House is the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan Age. Built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer of England between 1565 and 1587. David, 6th Marquess of Exeter (as Lord Burghley) was a world-famous hurdler and all-round sportsman - the inspiration for one of the characters in the film 'Chariots of Fire. The parkland that surrounds the House was laid out by 'Capability' Brown and extends to 160 acres. The deer can be observed at close quarters and provide great enjoyment for children and adults alike
A fine red-brick house, dating from 1700 (with later extensions) and located in one of England's most remote corners. Many of the rooms are panelled and there is a beautiful oak staircase, as well as many fine paintings and items of furniture and china. The exquisite walled garden is planted with traditional English vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Hatfield House built by Robert Cecil 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I in 1611, stands within its own Great Park and is currently home to the 6th Marquess of Salisbury. This celebrated Jacobean House enjoys some of the finest organic Gardens to be found in the country. Originally designed by John Tradescant the Elder, these beautiful gardens continue to be maintained by the present Marchioness in a style that reflects their Jacobean history.
The eccentric Earl of Bristol created this equally eccentric house, with its central rotunda and curved corridors, in 1795 to display his collections. These include spectacular paintings by Titian, Gainsborough and Velasquez and a magnificent Georgian silver collection. The house is surrounded by an Italianate garden and set in a 'Capability' Brown park with woodland walks, deer enclosure, vineyard, Georgian summer-house, church, canal and lake.
One of East Anglia's most celebrated Elizabethan houses, little changed externally since 1578 and with an original panelled banqueting hall. There is also a Regency library, as well as Victorian bedrooms and good collections of furniture and porcelain. The garden contains some spectacular specimen trees and a charming summer-house, and there is an attractive walk through the park.
The quintessential moated manor house, Oxburgh was built in 1482 by the Bedingfeld family, who still live here. The rooms show the development from medieval austerity to Victorian comfort, and include an outstanding display of embroidery done by Mary, Queen of Scots, during her captivity. The attractive gardens include a French parterre and there are delightful woodland walks, as well as an interesting Catholic chapel.
A merchant's house, dating from c.1500 and containing unusually rich panelling and wood carving. Coggeshall was famous for its lace, examples of which are displayed inside the house, and there is also a very attractive cottage garden.
A town house, built c.1722 and renowned for its very fine plaster and wood rococo decoration. The outstanding Victorian garden includes an orangery, summer-houses, roses, herbaceous borders, fernery, croquet lawn and reed barn.
This magnificent 18th-century house, the biggest in Cambridgeshire and set in grand style in an extensive wooded park, has an extraordinary pedigree. The interior features work by Gibbs, Flitcroft and Soane, and the park - complete with grand folly, Chinese bridge and lakes - was landscaped by Bridgeman, Brown and Repton. There are a series of spectacular avenues and extensive walks through the delightful grounds. The garden has colourful parterres in July and August, as well as a collection of winter-flowering pansies.
A small 17th-century manor house, the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton, who formulated some of his major works here during the Plague years (1665-67). An early edition of his Principia is on display. The orchard includes a descendant of the famous apple tree.
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Water Lane, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth, nr Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5PD
TEL:(44) 01476 860338
