Curious about which are the most stunning country houses in England? From one of the biggest privately owned country houses globally to one of the most iconic homes on TV, here is my list of the top 10 grandest and most extraordinary Country Houses and Stately Homes in England.
10. Harewood House
Commencing the tour is the stunning Harewood House, located near Leeds in West Yorkshire. I have had the pleasure of visiting Harewood several times in recent years, and it never ceases to amaze me. Constructed between 1759 and 1771 by Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood, the house has an intriguing history.
The Lascelles family, who made their fortune through plantations and slavery, chose to invest their wealth in building Harewood. Designed by the renowned architect John Carr, the house is not only visually appealing but also set amidst one of England's most picturesque landscapes. The interiors, crafted by Robert Adam, are truly magnificent and considered some of his finest work, with the opulent Long Gallery being a particular highlight.
What sets Harewood apart is its exquisite design – built in the Palladian style, it stands out from other Georgian houses in England with its unique charm, making it one of the best examples of English Palladian architecture in my opinion.
9. Hardwick Hall
Up next is the impressive Hardwick Hall. My first visit to Hardwick was in 2020, and I was truly amazed by it. Constructed as a Prodigy House, Hardwick was specifically built to flaunt its owners' wealth and power.
Bess of Hardwick, who had been married four times, accumulated enormous wealth, second only to Queen Elizabeth. She needed a residence that matched her status, and when Hardwick Hall was completed in 1597, its origins were unmistakable.
Adhering to the rules of symmetry and featuring more glass than walls, the National Trust's Hardwick Hall is a prime example of Elizabethan architecture in England. The Hall, famously known as Malfoy Manor in Harry Potter, is undeniably striking.
The tapestries and interiors of Hardwick are equally remarkable. Designed to impress, these interiors are truly fit for royalty, with the magnificent Long Gallery being the largest surviving Elizabethan Long Gallery in England. The vast internal spaces at Hardwick must be seen to be believed.
Hardwick Hall is arguably the most magnificent Prodigy House in England and was once the residence of one of England's most remarkable women. It is a residence that truly deserves recognition.
8. Boughton House
Boughton's history can be traced back to the late medieval period, when Sir Edward Montagu acquired the estate in 1528 and built a Tudor house.
A significant transformation of Boughton House occurred during the late 17th and early 18th centuries under the supervision of Ralph Montagu, the 1st Duke of Montagu. Influenced by French architecture, particularly the Palace of Versailles, after his service in France, Montagu redesigned Boughton House to resemble a grand English Versailles. His renovations included the construction of elegant state rooms, grand staircases, and formal gardens.
Following the death of the 2nd Duke, the Dukedom of Montagu became extinct, leading the house to experience a period of minor decline. Eventually, through marriage, it was inherited by the Scottish landowning Buccleuch family. In the 20th century, it was restored as a cherished family residence, now occupied by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, who is a descendant of the Montagus.
It is not surprising that a historic property like this is in high demand as a filming location. Boughton House was extensively used in the filming of Les Miserables in 2012, and more recently, in Napolean.
Find out more about Boughton House and book tickets directly here.
7. Longleat House
Longleat House is an exquisite Elizabethan residence located near Warminster in the South West of England. This remarkable Prodigy House is another historic dwelling claiming to be one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, serving as the residence of the Marquis of Bath.
Constructed by Sir John Thynn between 1568 and 1580, Longleat was the inaugural prodigy house built in England, purportedly with the primary goal of impressing the monarch. It is a breathtaking Country Home, designed by Robert Smythson, one of the most renowned architects of that era.
The estate is truly exceptional, encompassed by 900 acres of picturesque Capability Brown-designed parkland. Longleat gained fame as the first stately home to open its doors to the public and for hosting the initial safari park outside of Africa.
Remarkably, Longleat has remained within the same family for nearly 450 years since its establishment, currently being the residence of the 7th Marquis of Bath.
6. Lyme Park
Lyme is a stunning Country House and estate located on the outskirts of the Peak District in Cheshire. The property was the residence of the historic Legh family for more than 550 years, and the current house was built in the mid-16th century by Piers Legh vii.
Although minor alterations were carried out in the 17th century, it was in 1725 when a significant renovation took place, resulting in the magnificent Neo-Classical Palladian masterpiece that stands today.
Lyme is an exquisitely beautiful estate, blending its original Tudor structure with Georgian Palladian design and remarkable 19th-century interiors. Furthermore, the house is enhanced by its surrounding moorlands and formal gardens.
Lyme is a truly grand estate, perhaps familiar to you from the BBC's 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, where it portrayed Mr. Darcy's Pemberley estate, underscoring its prestigious reputation.
Now under the stewardship of the National Trust, Lyme is among the most impressive properties in the Trust's collection and a highly sought-after destination for tourists.
5. Burghley House
Burghley House, much like Hardwick Hall, exemplifies the grandeur of an Elizabethan Prodigy House. Commissioned by William Cecil, the Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth, this remarkable structure stands as one of the most exceptional 16th Century Houses still standing today.
Located in Stamford, Lincolnshire, construction of this magnificent residence commenced in 1555 with the East Range being the first to be erected. However, it took approximately 32 years to complete the entire building, with the North front not being finished until 1587.
Similar to other grand Prodigy houses, Burghley was designed to awe, with no expenses spared due to Cecil's prominent position in the court. The house was grand and spacious enough to potentially accommodate the queen and her extensive retinue.
The sheer scale of Burghley is astounding, boasting 35 major rooms and 80 smaller ones, making it a colossal palace for its time. Additionally, the estate features one of Capability Brown's finest landscapes, on which he spent 23 years perfecting.
Burghley is arguably the most exceptional house built during Queen Elizabeth's reign, with its striking architecture and prominent decorative chimneys dominating the skyline, solidifying its status as one of England's most magnificent Country Houses.
Its allure as a filming location is evident, as Burghley has been featured in renowned productions such as Pride and Prejudice, The Da Vinci Code, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Presently inhabited by Lord Cecil's descendants, the house is maintained by a trust and welcomes visitors for a significant part of the year.
4. Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is an essential inclusion in any top list. Located in Oxfordshire, Blenheim has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough, given to the 1st Duke, John Churchill, in recognition of his military achievements during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Since then, the palace has remained in the possession of the Dukes of Marlborough and notably served as the childhood residence of British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
Constructed between 1705 and 1722, Blenheim is the sole non-royal residence in the UK to hold the title ‘Palace’ and holds the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Similar to Castle Howard, Blenheim was designed by architects Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, representing a prime example of Baroque architecture in England.
Besides the grand house, Blenheim boasts 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown and 90 acres of stunning formal gardens.
It's no surprise that Blenheim is a favorite among visitors and ranks as one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Britain.
3. Chatsworth House
Situated in the Derbyshire Dales is one of England's most magnificent and renowned residences. Famously known as Mr. Darcy's home in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Chatsworth is the principal residence of the Duke of Devonshire and has been in the possession of the Cavendish family since Bess of Hardwick and her husband William Cavendish acquired the estate in 1549.
William Cavendish, Bess's second husband, had accumulated wealth as a commissioner for the dissolution of the monasteries. Although the original Elizabethan House they built at Chatsworth is mostly gone, the house was entirely redesigned in 1707 by the 1st Duke and further enhanced and modernised in the late 18th century by the 6th Duke.
The outcome is one of the most lavish and instantly recognisable residences globally, and one of the UK's most popular tourist destinations. Visitors are drawn back time and again, partly due to the splendid interiors. For instance, the Painted Hall is among the most exquisite indoor spaces, rivalling only the Great Hall at Castle Howard, while the remarkable Library boasts the largest private book collection in the UK.
The estate's grounds are equally exceptional, featuring a grand Victorian rock garden and a stunning 300-year-old cascade. Chatsworth is undeniably a breathtaking residence and fully justifies its reputation as one of the UK's most spectacular stately homes.
2. Castle Howard
Castle Howard is among the largest, most magnificent, and most iconic stately homes in the United Kingdom. Located in the Howardian Hills in the Ryedale Region of North Yorkshire, this immense country estate has been owned by the Howard family for over three centuries.
Commissioned for Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, the house was the first project of Dramatist John Vanbrugh and was predominantly built in the Baroque style. Construction commenced in 1699, and the majority of the house was completed within a decade. However, it took approximately a century for the house to be deemed fully finished.
Situated at the center of an estate spanning nearly 9000 acres, Castle Howard includes Parkland, Farmland, temples, monuments, and simulated castle walls. The estate is truly expansive and exceptional.
Castle Howard is notably famous for being the residence of Sebastian Flyte in the film and television adaptations of Brideshead. More recently, it was featured as the country estate of the Duke of Hastings in the popular Netflix series Bridgerton.
What sets Castle Howard apart is its lavish architecture and luxurious interiors. The Great Hall, for instance, is one of the most ornate and magnificent indoor spaces in the entire United Kingdom, a truly remarkable sight.
Castle Howard holds the top spot as my personal favorite country house in the UK, only surpassed in size by my number one pick.
1. Wentworth Woodhouse
Ranked as the top contender is the immense Wentworth Woodhouse. Located in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and currently undergoing a costly restoration project, Wentworth Woodhouse stands as one of the largest residences in Europe, boasting the longest façade of any house in England.
Primarily constructed by Thomas Watson-Wentworth, the inaugural Marquis of Rockingham, this remarkable edifice replaced an earlier Jacobean dwelling that had functioned as the historical seat of the Earl of Stafford.
Thomas inherited the Wentworth estate and wealth from his father, who had in turn inherited it from his maternal uncle, William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Stafford. This situation was deeply resented by the earl's cousin, Thomas Wentworth, who had anticipated inheriting the family fortune and titles upon the childless earl's passing in 1695.
Thomas Watson Wentworth then found himself in possession of the grand Wentworth Woodhouse and, not to be outshone by his envious Wentworth relatives, who were busy constructing the nearby Wentworth Castle, he embarked on creating the most splendid house ever witnessed in England.
Constructed in two phases, the Baroque-styled West range took form between 1725 and 1735. However, before the paint had dried on this section, Thomas shifted his focus to erecting an even larger and more magnificent East range. Completed around 1750 in the fashionable Palladian style, this new section was considered the first grand Palladian house in England.
The interiors of Wentworth Woodhouse are regarded as some of the finest from the Georgian period nationwide, featuring approximately 365 rooms. The standout feature is the stunning marble saloon, recently showcased in the Downton Abbey Movie.
Wentworth is truly monumental in every aspect, and upon the completion of its restoration, it is poised to become one of the most exceptional country houses accessible to the public worldwide. The anticipation of revitalising this grand residence is truly thrilling, and I eagerly await the outcome.
Find out more about the history of Wentworth Woodhouse in my article.
I sincerely hope you have found my compilation of the top 10 most splendid country houses enjoyable. It's important to remember that any ranking is subjective, and you are more than welcome to have a different opinion. Feel free to share your favourite country houses in England by leaving a comment below.
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