16 Best UK Stately Homes to Visit
Step into the pages of history! Britain’s stately homes offer a glimpse through time, right from the comfort of their lavish halls.
Whether I’m imagining what it would be like to live a country manor, or walking in the footsteps of some of my favourite historical figures, I love visiting these types of buildings.
Take a look at some of the most jaw-dropping mansions across the UK. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for your next Instagram hit, I’ve got you covered.
Looking for more UK travel content? You’ll find it all in my UK Travel Guide.
Below, you’ll find 15 must-visit stately homes, including must-sees like Chatsworth House and Highclere Castle, each worthy of a royal visit—and your camera’s memory.
Several of these stately homes are difficult to get to without a car, so you may need to look at day tours from nearby cities or plan extra time for public transport if you aren’t able to drive to them.
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1. Chatsworth House: The Grandeur of Derbyshire
Located in Derbyshire, Chatsworth House seems like it leapt out of a period drama. With over 105 acres of gardens and stunning Baroque architecture, it’s a top contender for any visitor’s list.
Featured in numerous films, this house offers rich tapestries, neoclassical sculptures, and authentic English gardens enticing you to linger a while longer.
Take your time wandering its vast grounds and enjoy its marble-edged splendour. The gardens with the maze, ponds and rock gardens are gorgeous. I visit whenever I go to the Peak District, and I have a dedicated Chatsworth House article to help plan your visit.
2. Alnwick Castle: Harry Potter’s Other Home
Alnwick Castle (pronounced Ann-ick) in Northumberland might make Potterheads swoon—it’s one of the locations used as Hogwarts. You can join in a free tour which points out some of the film shots. As one of the UK’s largest inhabited castles, it stirs up both history and fantasy.
Okay, so you won’t fly a broom here, but strolling through these ancient halls is magical nonetheless. The town of Alnwick is worth exploring for a few hours, including a stop at Barter Books – the UK’s biggest second-hand book shop.
Fun fact: It’s been featured in filming as diverse as ‘Downton Abbey’ to the heart of wizardry. Trust us, it’s perfectly bonkers!
3. Highclere Castle: A Real-life Downton Abbey
Fancy a trip to the real ‘Downton Abbey’? Highclere Castle in Hampshire is a masterpiece of Jacobethan style – an architectural style wich combines elements of Elizabethan and Jacobean styles.
Step into Lord Grantham’s shoes and experience aristocratic life, with nearly 300 rooms at your beck and call. Explore titanic towers and Gothic revival architecture in this ‘gracious home.’
Yes, ‘Downton’ devotees, you’ll even spot Lady Mary’s epic staircases. Incorrigibly high society and utterly captivating!
It’s a very popular place to visit, so you should book your tour of Highclere in advance.
4. Hardwick Hall: The Legend of Bess
Another Derbyshire gem, Hardwick Hall is famous for its symmetrical windows which inspired the phrase ‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall!’
This Renaissance masterpiece was built by the formidable Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women of Elizabethan England.
The house is beautiful but is also perfect for history fans who want a bit more detail with lots of information about Bess of Hardwick around the house.
Amidst a handsome landscape, it’s perfect for daydreaming of last century’s royal ambition. Hardwick Hall is a National Trust property, so it’s free for members to visit.
5. Burghley House: Elizabethan Marvel
Nestled in Lincolnshire, Burghley House is one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture and isn’t holding back on opulence.
Magnificent gardens? Check. Lavish interiors? Absolutely. The house is a living museum, holding an incredibly colourful history.
Here, the 35 rooms open to the public exhibit some of the most glorious portraits and ceramics. A must-see for art enthusiasts!
6. Blenheim Palace: A Vision of Sublime Beauty
Blenheim Palace near Oxford transcends typical stately home status; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site fit for a Duke—and Winston Churchill, who was born here!
With its Baroque tapestry-lined halls and sprawling gardens designed by Capability Brown, it’s an absolutely royal venture.
Take a day to explore extravagantly decorated State Rooms or the serene lakeside. It’s a photographic feast waiting to happen.
7. Windsor Castle: Royal Home
As one of the oldest castles in continuous occupation, Windsor Castle feels straight out of a storybook, complete with a moat and royal owners.
With over 1,000 years of regal history, no visit to England is complete without marvelling at its grand State Apartments and the Royal Collection of art.
Catch the iconic Changing of the Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am (but check the Household Division website first for details.)
8. Castle Howard: Yorkshire’s Crown Jewel
Construction on Castle Howard in Yorkshire began in 1699, but took more than 100 years to complete. It has been the home of the Howard family for more than 300 years.
If it looks familiar then you are probably a Bridgerton fan – Castle Howard was used as the location for Clyvedon, the ancestral home of the Duke of Hastings.
The house itself spans more than 145 rooms, with a Chapel that is exquisite enough to take your breath away.
Wander through its walled gardens or the glittering fountains—there are so many corners waiting to be Instagrammed!
9. Hatfield House: Tudor Elegance
Shall we dance back to the Tudor era? Hatfield House in Hertfordshire is where you can follow the very footsteps of Elizabeth I. In fact, she was sitting in the gardens of Hatfield House when riders came to notify her that she had become Queen following the death of her sister, Mary I.
There are two buildings here – the Jacobean era Hatfield House, and the Old Palace where Elizabeth I lived as a child.
The main visitor attraction is the ‘new’ Hatfield House, access to tours of the Old Palace is dependent on private events and so you would need to see if it is open on the day of your visit.
10. Hampton Court Palace: Home of the Tudors
Stand where Henry VIII plotted games of chess and matters of state! Located in London, Hampton Court Palace embodies Tudor domestic history.
I’m something of a Tudor history nerd, so this is one of my favourites!
Start with its famous maze or the Great Hall with its stained-glass windows, delightfully ostentatious! If you are staying in London and are interested in visiting a Tudor history building, this is one of the best.
There are usually themed events on, with opportunities to meet some of the famous Tudor characters.
11. Knole: 1,000 Acres To Explore
Set within an ancient deer park in Kent, Knole is as serene as it is vast. Visitors can revel in the grandeur of its textiles and furnishings crafted over 500 years.
The house has been renovated many times over its history, but much of what is visible today dates back to the 17th century. During the Tudor era it served as a home to the Archbishops of Canterbury.
The house eventually came to be owned by the Sackville family, and was once the home of the famous writer Vita Sackville-West. Several displays are dedicated to Vita’s life, work and role as the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s book and character Orlando.
12. Holkham Hall: A Hidden Norfolk Treasure
How about a trip to the sandy beaches of North Norfolk? Holkham Hall offers a slice of Palladian architecture unlike any other.
This serene site invites you into marble halls and expansive grounds that host deer and wild cattle.
It’s a slice of heaven when the sun is out—with beauty spread across its historic banquet halls.
13. Castle Ward: Dual-Personality Appeal
Set your eyes on Castle Ward in Northern Ireland, with its dual Georgian and Gothic façades on opposite sides of the building.
This eccentric castle doesn’t just do architecture—it sprawls onto TV screens through series like ‘Game of Thrones.’
Its gardens, laced with exotic and indigenous plants, make an ideal setting for a calming day out.
14. Abbotsford House: Walter Scott’s Dreamscape
Set on the banks of the River Tweed, Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders is a love letter to literature and history. Built by Sir Walter Scott, the author of Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, it’s the perfect blend of Gothic romance and personal charm.
Inside, you’ll find Scott’s extensive library and quirky collections—think everything from suits of armour to historical relics. Outside, the gardens are equally captivating, offering peaceful riverside walks.
Fun fact: Abbotsford was one of the first houses designed to reflect the personality of its owner—talk about an autobiography in stone!
15. Powis Castle: A Garden of Delights
Perched on a rocky outcrop, Powis Castle commands views across the Welsh border with boldness.
Step into its state rooms and back into time as stories unravel across its ornate plaster ceilings.
Explore its lush gardens, where the influence of the 17th century melds with impeccable British gardening craftsmanship.
16. Drumlanrig Castle: The Pink Palace of Scotland
This striking 17th-century castle in Dumfries and Galloway isn’t just a pretty face—Drumlanrig Castle is a powerhouse of art, history, and adventure. Known as the “Pink Palace” due to its distinctive sandstone exterior, Drumlanrig Castle is the home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.
Explore grand rooms filled with fine art, including works by Rembrandt, or take a stroll in the estate’s beautiful gardens. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s mountain biking and scenic walking trails to enjoy.
Final Thoughts: Best Stately Homes UK
Whether you’re drawn to grand palaces, historic treasures, or peaceful gardens, the UK’s stately homes offer something for everyone. These magnificent properties aren’t just architectural wonders; they’re living snapshots of history, brimming with art, culture, and fascinating stories.
The UK is full of buildings like these, so it’s difficult to narrow them down. If you are in the UK for a while and enjoy this sort of activity then I recommend you think about joining the National Trust, which owns many of these buildings. An annual membership fee gives you access to all of their properties without paying an entrance fee.
