The country house, whether grand or simple, had a resident population of servants to care for it and the family who lived there.

The specialisation of the jobs was dependent on the grandeur of the household but each task had its own specific tools.

Much of this equipment has survived, and increasing interest in the social history of the houses has led to the opening of the domestic quarters in many houses.

A selection of properties to visit with examples of domestic equipment

Important cooking equipment is shown at Petworth House in West Sussex, Saltram in Devon, Lanhydrock in Cornwall, Erddig in Wales and Cragside in Northumberland among many others.

Life below stairs can be appreciated in the servants’ rooms and working areas which are now open to visitors at more than fifty houses.