All The Best Country Houses Near London For A Great Day Out
There are 3000 manor houses in the UK which are also known as country houses. Visiting English country houses is a great day out for the family. I have put together the best manor houses near London to visit
A lot of people ask what is the difference between a Manor House and a Country House? Manor houses in England and English country houses are the same. It is just that some people call them by different names.
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If we look back to medical times, a manor house is a term to describe a country estate of a noble. English country houses were built so the noble could have a comfortable and grand dwelling while they oversee their lands.
A lot of people ask if there is a manor house near me? With 3,000 manor houses in the UK, there is bound to be at least one within easy reach.
Sadly, over the years we have lost many wonderful manor houses in England. In the mid-19th century, there were more than 5,000 country houses in England. Sadly, thousands of those manor houses have been demolished and now in 2022 there are only 3,000 country houses in England.
Each year manor houses in England attract tourists from all over the UK and abroad. Some of the most popular historic buildings are the manor houses near London. I have put together the best country houses near London which are all within a ninety-minute journey from the capital of London.
Here are the best English Country Houses near London
Ightham Mote, Kent
One of the best English country houses near London is the Ightham Mote, Kent. Some people believe it is the best Manor house in England, but I would not go that far.
The spectacular 14th-century manor house is just six miles south of Sevenoaks. It is now owned by the National Trust but was the home to Medieval Knights and Victorian society figures. It has been owned by the National Trust since 1985.
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Ightham Mote which is Grade I listed building has become a popular filming location. The popular manor house dates back to 1340-1360. It is an amazing place to visit and is surrounded by some of the best gardens that you will ever see. There are also some small lakes as well as woodland walks.
With it being one of the best country houses in England, it attracts visitors from all over the world, especially foreign tourists.
When you visit Ightham Mote, Kent, you will see why so many people visit the manor house near London.
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Hatfield House is another sunning country house near London. I really do love Hatfield House. When you visit Hatfield House, you will see why it is one of the best manor houses in England. It is like walking through the doors and going back in time as well as feeling like you have just walked in on a film set.
The English manor house which was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I has been featured in many big movies including Harry Potter. It was built by Robert Cecil who was the 1st Earl of Salisbury in 1611. It has everything you would expect from one of the best country houses in England which includes chandeliers, an armoury, a vast library, and a Victorian Kitchen.
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The gardens of Hatfield House are stunning. There is also a play area for children as well as a children’s farm. If you want to visit Hatfield House and your children are not keen, then mention to them about Hatfield House is a Harry Potter filming location.
The country house near London played an important role in World War II. It was used as a hospital, and those who did not survive their injuries were buried in Hatfield Park War Cemetery.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
One of the best-known country houses near London is Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. It is not just one of the best known near London, it is also one of the most famous country houses in England.
As well as being a stunning piece of history, it is also known for all the events that it holds each year, which includes concerts by some of the biggest artists in the world.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire is a 18th century country house. It was named after the 1704 Battle of Blenheim and was built between 1705 and 1722. The country house is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Many people believe it is the best manor house in England, and I have to agree.
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The English manor house sits on 2,000 acres of Brown Parkland. The gardens are simply amazing and well-looked after. One impressive thing about Blenheim Palace is the 180ft library.
If you are visiting Blenheim Palace for a concert, then you will love the backdrop setting. There is lots of things to do at Blenheim Palace for the whole family. There is a miniature train that children will love. And for art lovers, this is the ideal country house to visit.
Syon House, Greater London
Syon House is a great manor house near London and is just nine miles from Charing Cross. It is the home to the Duke of Northumberland ad dates back to the 1600s. one of the many impressive things about Syon House is the stunning conservatory which dates to the 1820s.
It is one of the most beautiful houses in London with 30-acre gardens and 100 acres of parkland. It is one of the few privately owned manor houses in England which has been owned by the same family for more than 400 years.
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The Print Room, Princess Victoria’s Bedroom, and the Red Drawing Room, are just some of the impressive places to visit when visiting Syon House.
Over the years, Syon House has gone through many changes. In the 1760s, Robert Adam remodelled the manor house.
The English country manor played an important role in World War II like so many English manor houses and was used as a hospital.
Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire
Another popular English country house near London which is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford is Woburn Abbey, which is located in Bedfordshire. It is just five miles south of Milton Keynes.
Woburn Abbey has 28 acres of award-winning historic gardens and has a 3,000-acre deer park, where the deer’s roam freely. The Woburn Safari Park, and the miniature railway will keep children happy on your visit.
The country house manor is well-worth a visit.
There are lots of manor houses in the UK. These are just some of the manor houses near London. If you are wanting a great educational day out, and want to know if there is a manor house near me to visit, then simply check on Google Maps.
Manor Houses Near London
Ightham Mote, Kent
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Syon House, Greater London
Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire