Private
A substantial house, with crenellations, and built of honey-coloured stone around a central courtyard. The earlier parts date from the 16th centurey or earlier, with 18th and 19th century additions. The contents include relics of Lord Cardigan of Balaclava fame, and of the scandalous Adeline Horsey de Horsey. The house is open on limited dates during the summer months.
The contents are of considerable interest and rooms downstairs and upstairs are opened for visitors.
The grounds are worth seeing and include a number of feature garden areas as well as woodland walks and an expanse of lawn. Not accessible to visitors are the former walled gardens and an intriguing circular building.
If you want a leisurely visit to the house, the grounds, and the tea-room you are advised to arrive soon after the grounds open as the total opening time is only 4 hours.
If using satnav, look for brown car park signs, as the satnav may direct you to a back entrance by a longer route.
Note that there are other grand houses in the Corby area which could be visited on the same day. Kirby Hall is nearby.
Category: House
Grand houses
Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire
National Trust
The grounds are of substantial size and drop dramatically down towards the William & Mary period house, with its long east front. Behind the house there are gardens. The interior is furnished in a Dutch style. The house is worth a visit and besides the main rooms one can look at rooms in the basement, and an orangery. Outside there is a large park, and behind the house some formal gardens with ponds. The church can be visited but the access route was not obvious.
The main car park is next to the road, some 500 yards from the house. The property is only a few minutes drive from the M4, and is a handy break point on journeys to the far south west and South Wales.
Revisited May 2022.
Stourhead, Wiltshire
National Trust.
Noted for its world-famous 18th century landscape garden. There’s a lake, with temples, follies, exotic trees etc, set in a 2650 acre estate with downs, woods and farmland. The house has furniture and paintings. Around two miles away, Alfred’s Tower stands on part of the wider estate. Suggested as half-day to all-day destination.
Sulgrave Manor, Oxfordshire.
Mainly notable as the ancestral home of the Washingtons (=American president) in Britain. The house is some three centuries old and contains old furniture and artefacts. There is also a collection of George Washington memorabilia. If I remember correctly, there was some music and historical re-enactment going on when I visited.
The Vyne, Hampshire
National Trust.
An impressive house, originally built as an Elizabethan “power house.” Notable are interesting contents, and the impressive Long Gallery. I remember that I much enjoyed visiting this house. There are also extensive grounds and a lake. Suggested visit time: half day.
Trerice, Cornwall
National Trust.
Visited c. 2008
An Elizabethan house with gardens, not much altered. An attractive building with pleasant gardens. Worth visiting if you are in the area.
Upton House, Warwickshire
National Trust.
Visited c. 2005
While the house is old in origins, it has been updated a number of times and it’s the contents and gardens which are notable. It contains a major collection of paintings and porcelain, including Old Masters. To the rear are the magnificent gardens, which descend by terracing towards water. There is also a kitchen garden. Allow for a half-day visit.
West Wycombe Park, Bucks
National Trust
Visited c.2005
Extensive and attractive grounds with large lake and follies. The house interior is interesting. Note that the opening dates and hours are rather restricted. Suggested visit time 3hrs.
Village, Hill, Church, Mausoleum, and Caves (not NT) are nearby if you have a whole day.