‘This is a delicious house…’ remarked Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on her honeymoon at Polesden Lacey. This country retreat, only four miles from Dorking and junction 9 of the M25, has glorious views across the rolling Surrey Hills and acres of countryside to explore.  It was home to the famous Edwardian hostess Mrs Greville, who entertained royalty and the celebrities of her time.

Marvel at the glittering Gold Saloon designed to impress kings and maharajahs, or Mrs Greville’s extensive collection of art and ceramics ranging from world-famous Dutch old masters to sparkling Fabergé objects.

The gardens offer something for every season, including climbing roses which are at their best in June, a beautiful herbaceous border and a winter garden bursting with 

This elegant country manor and tranquil garden sit so harmoniously within the landscape that one cannot exist without the other.

The house was lovingly rebuilt by its last owner, Ralph Dutton, after a catastrophic fire in 1960. Enjoy the beautifully proportioned rooms which house his exquisite collection of ceramics and art, each window offering undisturbed views to the tranquil countryside beyond.

Beautifully manicured lawns lead the eye down avenues of sculptured topiary, past borders full of the heady scent of roses, to breathtaking views across the South Downs.

Perched on its vantage point high on the South Downs ridge, Uppark commands views as far south as the English Channel.  Outside, the intimate gardens are being gradually restored to their original 19th-century design, with plenty of space in the adjacent meadow to play and relax with a picnic.  The nearby woodland is great for exploring and den-building.

Uppark’s Georgian interiors illustrate the comfort of life ‘upstairs’, in contrast with the ‘downstairs’ world of the servants. A highlight of our collection is one of the best examples of a 17th-century doll’s house in the country.

Due to its high elevation, Uppark is exposed to extremes of weather particularly in the winter months. This can lead to the closure of the property at short notice. To avoid disappointment please call to check that Uppark is open before setting out.

James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.

A major restoration of the 5-hectare (12-acre) hillside garden showcases year-round seasonal highlights and an award-winning plant collection. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Note: Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome in the formal gardens.

Petworth has a rich and varied history waiting to be discovered.  Stroll through state rooms saturated with internationally important paintings by artists such as Van Dyck, Reynolds, Titian and Blake together with classical and neo-classical sculptures.  Follow in the footsteps of JMW Turner who spent long periods at the mansion under the patronage of the 3rd Earl of Egremont, and whose paintings of Petworth park can be seen at Petworth today.

The servants’ quarters by contrast offer a glimpse of life ‘below stairs’. Step inside some of these rooms and imagine the hustle and bustle of servant life.

The landscape gives every impression of being totally natural but in reality nothing is further from the truth. The park was transformed in the 1750s and early 1760s by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. 

One of the National Trust’s premier gardens, Nymans was a country retreat for the creative Messel family, and has views stretching out across the Sussex Weald. Today you can recharge your batteries here, while you explore this beautiful place, discovering hidden corners through stone archways, walking along tree-lined avenues while surrounded by lush green countryside.

From vibrantly colourful summer borders, to the tranquillity of ancient woodland, Nymans is a place of experimentation with constantly evolving planting designs and a rare and unusual plant collection. The comfortable yet elegant house, a partial ruin, reflects the personalities and stories of the talented Messel family, from the Countess of Rosse to Oliver Messel and photographer Lord Snowdon.

There is a large shop and plant centre with our special collection of plants grown on site, a cafe offering a choice of seasonal food made by us, and a Grab & Go kiosk in the tea garden.

Every day there are guided walks and talks in the garden and woods, a small gallery in the house with changing exhibitions for every season, a secondhand bookshop, shop tastings and mobility tours of the garden and woods.

For children there are plenty of opportunities for natural play, geocaching in the woods, pick up and go activities and seasonal trail.

Dog owners: Dogs are welcome in the woodland only and must be kept on leads during the bird nesting season 1 March – 31 July.

Hatchlands Park was built in the 1750s for naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen and his wife Fanny, since then it has housed wealthy families, a finishing school for girls and even a printing press. Today you can visit the parkland or stop for coffee in the Kitchen Café all year round. You can also see inside our house on four afternoons a week, between April and October.

Take the time to wander through our 400 acres of rolling parkland and woodland, one of the largest country estates in the area and full of year round seasonal colour. You can follow waymarked walks, enjoy the tranquillity of our quiet garden, discover areas of the garden partly landscaped by Humphry Repton or bring the family to experience our natural adventure area for children.

Our mansion is now a family home, containing tenant Alec Cobbe’s collection of paintings and fine furniture. Also on display is the Cobbe Collection, Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments associated with famous composers including JC Bach, Chopin and Elgar. An early interior design commission for architect Robert Adam, his work can be seen in ceilings and fireplaces throughout the house.

Situated on the edge of the beautiful Surrey Hills and surrounded by charming villages, this peaceful location is just 45 minutes from central London.

This rare and atmospheric 17^th-century house sits on the banks of the River Thames in Richmond. It is the creation of the tenacious Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, the Duke, who together transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England.

Ham House is internationally recognised for its superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, largely acquired 400 years ago. Some of our unique objects include a rare Chinese teapot, said to have been used by the Duchess herself, and the exotic ivory cabinet. The house is reputed to be one of the most haunted in Britain. Some visitors have reported the ghostly aroma of the sweet Virginia pipe tobacco that the Duke smoked after meals in the dining room.  Visit the hands on below stairs room; including the bathroom, complete with a wooden bathtub and bed, illustrates how baths were taken before washing became an everyday event.

Selected rooms in the house are open by guided tour during the winter months, with tickets on a first come first served basis.

Outside, the open and formal restored 17th-century gardens surround the house. It includes a productive kitchen garden containing many heritage crops, the maze-like ‘Wilderness’, complete with summerhouses, and many beautiful spots perfect for a picnic.

The nature reserve

This is the only National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. It is a beautiful retreat that has something to offer boat owners, walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and historians or just those in search of peace and tranquility. You can wander past flower-rich hay meadows, through ancient woodlands with rare butterflies and red squirrels, and look out over salt marsh and the clear waters of the harbour, bobbing with sailing boats in the summer and alive with birds in the spring and winter. For those on the water it is a beautiful place to explore and a good way to look out for wetland wildlife.

Newtown Harbour was saved in the 1960s from the threat of a nuclear power station being built near the harbour entrance.  The efforts of local people conducting wildlife surveys proved to the authorities how special the place is. The landscape has remained little changed for decades and the pattern of fields reflects Newtown’s Medieval origins.

The town hall

Tucked away in a tiny hamlet adjoining the National Nature Reserve, the 17th-century Old Town Hall is the only remaining evidence of Newtown’s former importance.

It’s hard to believe that this tranquil corner of the island once held often turbulent elections before sending two Members to Parliament.

You’ll find important messages about things that may affect your visit in a red box at the top of our homepage. If there’s no red box, then there’s nothing to report. It’s always best to check this before you set off.

You might like to take a look at our site map to help you plan your visit. 

The Vyne:

As a £5.4m roof project draws to a close, young adventurers can enjoy a number of family trails through the grounds of this former Tudor palace. Amble past a six-hundred-year-old oak tree, tiptoe inside a 17th century summerhouse and stride across our north lawn.

Out in Morgaston Woods, intrepid explorers can try their hand at den building, orienteering and geocaching. The ancient woodlands reveal traces of history if you know where to look. See if you can spot the remains of medieval fish ponds and a Second World War munitions storage site. For a chance to glimpse wetland wildlife, you visit the purpose-built bird hide.

Inside the house, visitors of all ages can be transported back to 1535 when Henry VIII visited with Anne Boleyn. Head to the chapel to hear a Tudor mass soundscape or venture into the Saloon to discover a Victorian owner who replaced The Vyne’s roof from 1842.