Heathrow Airport's plan to build a third runway at London's main hub has been given a boost by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
15.01.2025 - 08:41 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 14, 2025 • 12 min read
If the Netflix series Bridgerton has you dreaming of lavish dinners, scenic walks through the English countryside and life in a grand British manor, you're in luck. You don’t need a time machine to experience the elegance of the past. England has hundreds of well-preserved manor houses, many open to the public.
Manor houses aren’t just large, luxurious homes like mansions – they are historic estates that once formed the heart of the “manorial” system, where a lord managed the property and the peasants worked the land. While a mansion can be part of a manor, a manor is defined by its role in this feudal structure. Typically larger than ordinary homes, manors were designed to showcase the wealth and status of their owners, often surrounded by sprawling estates. These homes were designed to serve as residences and symbols of authority, with features like grand facades, extensive grounds and ornate gardens.
While the exact number of manor houses in England is difficult to determine, the below 23 estates – functioning as private homes, museums or hotels – offer visitors a taste of the past.
Highclere is one of England's most famous manor houses, thanks to Downton Abbey. Fans will recognize its grand exterior and interior settings.
The Carnarvon family privately owns the estate (the 5th Earl of Carnarvon famously funded the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb). Located in Hampshire, the house is a Victorian-era mansion built in the Jacobethan style. Highclere is only open to the public for tours on select dates throughout the year, and booking many months in advance via the Highclere website is recommended.
Detour: Avebury Manor is about 35 miles away in Wiltshire. It’s a 16th-century Tudor-style property in historic Avebury village.
Located just an hour outside of London, this stunning Victorian mansion was built in 1851 and has served as home to both the second Duke of Sutherland and the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor. Today, it’s a 47-room hotel run by the National Trust.
Visitors can dine at two on-site restaurants. Also, two restored vintage boats are available for guests who want to explore the surrounding countryside or picnic on the Thames for an additional cost. While Cliveden House is usually only open to hotel guests, the National Trust UK sometimes runs tours for the public. Check the National Trust website for tour dates and times. Becoming a National Trust member is well worth it if you plan on visiting three or more properties under the organization’s care, as you’ll often receive free entry or ticket discounts.
Situated on a thousand-acre plot of land on the border between Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Luton Hoo Hotel itself is a popular film location,
Heathrow Airport's plan to build a third runway at London's main hub has been given a boost by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
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