Castles and historic properties
Peacocks strut across manicured lawns, children shriek with delight as they try to find their way out of fiendishly difficult mazes, and well-kept gardens dazzle year-round at England’s many historic houses and well-preserved castles. Once inside, enthusiastic curators bring history to life with their expert knowledge and often funny insights into the lives, loves, and artefacts of generations of inhabitants. Castle breaks give you more chances of bumping into the present owners of an English castle, many of whom still live in wings of the properties. Just don’t forget to retrieve your children from that maze before you head home.
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Visit Derby's three National Trust treasures
Derby has a trio of National Trust treasures all within a 10 mile radius, so use the city as your base to explore Calke, Sudbury and Kedleston.
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
Expect the unexpected with a visit to Croome
Escape to Croome and explore its Palladian Bath stone mansion house set in extensive parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown.
Location: Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire
Be enchanted on a tour of Witley Court & Gardens
Enjoy a great day out in Worcestershire at Witley Court and Gardens with its interesting history and landscaped gardens.
Location: Great Witley, Worcestershire
Peace and quiet at Belgrave Hall and Gardens
Belgrave Hall was built in the early 18th century, in what was then a small village three miles from the town of Leicester.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
Explore the ruins of Ashby Castle
Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel of 1819, Ivanhoe featured Ashby Castle as the backdrop to the famous jousting scenes.
Location: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire
Gastro glamping at the foot of Belvoir Castle
Pronounced ‘beaver’ by locals and literally meaning ‘beautiful view’, the Vale of Belvoir offers the perfect place to hideaway.
Location: Near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Discover the gruesome past of Leicester's Guildhall
One of the oldest civic buildings in the country, Leicester’s Guildhall stands beside Leicester Cathedral and has many gruesome stories to tell.
Location: Leicester
Encounter an Elizabethan legacy in Warwickshire
Discover 900 years of English history at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, a vast medieval fortress and spectacular castle ruins.
Location: Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Discover the secret garden of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Pay a visit to Anne Hathaway’s family home - the place William Shakespeare courted his future wife.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Experience life the Shakespearian way
Visit the historic attractions of Shakespeare’s England and see the places that played a role in the playwright’s life.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Discover the majestic Warwick Castle
Explore the spooky towers and frightening dungeons at Warwick Castle, and uncover its gruesome past spanning over 1100 years.
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
Take a tour round Stokesay Court
Stokesay Court was the setting for the mansions scenes in the film version of Ian McEwan's best selling novel, “Atonement”.
Location: Craven Arms, Shropshire
Take an audio tour around Stokesay Castle
Stokesay Castle is simply the most romantic castle in Shropshire, even though it isn’t technically a castle.
Location: Craven Arms, Shropshire
Enjoy a romantic getaway at The Hundred House
The Hundred House is ideal for romantic stop-overs – complete with swings in the bedrooms!
Location: Shifnal, Shropshire
Wander a tranquil 1920s garden
The 10-acre gardens of Coton Manor sit in peaceful Northamptonshire countryside.
Location: Coton, Northamptonshire
Visit a cinematic favourite at Eastnor
Eastnor’s typical castle architecture has made it the star of many a movie and TV programme over the years.
Location: Ledbury, Herefordshire
Have a medieval sleepover at Warwick Castle
For a family holiday with a difference, grab your sleeping bag and head to Warwick Castle to spend the night within the castle's historic grounds.
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
A stately experience at Weston Park
See what it is like to live like an Earl in this beautiful stately home.
Location: Weston under Lizard, Shropshire
Immerse yourself in Byron's Nottinghamshire
Discover why notorious romantic poet Lord Byron was 'mad, bad and dangerous to know', with a sumptuous stay at his former home.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Visit the real Wayne Manor in Nottingham
Wollaton Hall took on a very special role in when it appeared as ‘Wayne Manor’ in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Woo your loved one on the Lord Byron trail
Discover the romantic escapes of poet Lord Byron, England's most notorious romantic poet, on a visit to his ancestral heartland in Nottinghamshire.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire