House & garden highlights

Kent

Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. It remains much as it was when he lived here and strongly evokes this great man. The beautiful terraced gardens were created by Churchill, and many of his paintings can be seen in the garden studio.

Ightham Mote

This superb moated manor house and garden, nestling in a sunken valley, dates from 1330. The lovely gardens offer secluded lakeside and woodland walks. Don't miss the Grade I listed dog kennel.

Knole

Knole has links with kings, queens, and the novelist and poet Vita Sackville-West. Its 13 superb state rooms contain Royal Stuart furniture, paintings by Gainsborough, Van Dyck and Reynolds, and many tapestries. Knole is set at the heart of the only remaining medieval deer park in Kent.

Scotney Castle Garden

Designed around the ruins of a 14th-century moated castle, this is one of England's most romantic gardens. There are fine walks through the estate with its parkland, woodland and hop farm.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

One of the world's great gardens, Sissinghurst is the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. The series of intimate and romantic compartments include the renowned White Garden.

Surrey

Clandon Park

This grand Palladian mansion is celebrated for its magnificent two-storeyed Marble Hall. It is filled with a superb collection of 18th-century furniture, porcelain and textiles. The attractive gardens contain a Maori Meeting House.

Hatchlands Park

Built in the 1750s for Admiral Boscawen, Hatchlands is set in a beautiful 170 hectare (430 acre) Repton park, offering a variety of waymarked walks. On display in the house is the Cobbe collection of keyboard instruments.

Polesden Lacey

King George VI and the Queen Mother honeymooned at this opulent house, home of the legendary Edwardian hostess the Hon Mrs Greville. The grounds feature a walled rose garden, lawns and landscape walks through part of the estate.

East Sussex

Bateman’s

This Jacobean house was the home of Rudyard Kipling. It is kept mostly as he left it, reflecting the author's exotic oriental tastes. The delightful grounds run down to the River Dudwell with its watermill.

Bodiam Castle

A perfect example of a late medieval moated castle, Bodiam is one of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain. There are spiral staircases and battlements to explore.

Sheffield Park Garden

The original four lakes form the centrepiece of this internationally renowned 'Capability' Brown landscaped garden. A garden of all seasons, profusion of colours all year-round are provided by bluebells, rhododendrons and autumn trees.

West Sussex

Nymans Garden

This great Sussex Weald garden boasts a historic collection of plants, gathered world-wide. The inspiring fusion of garden styles incorporates a stunning spring display and knock-out summer borders.

Petworth House

The National Trust's finest and largest collection of pictures, including works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake, is housed in this 17th-century mansion. Petworth is set in a beautiful park, landscaped by 'Capability' Brown.

Standen

A showpiece of the Arts & Crafts Movement, Standen is decorated throughout with William Morris carpets, fabrics and wallpapers.The beautiful garden gives fine views over Sussex and there are delightful walks across the High Weald.

Uppark

The drama of the 1989 fire and restoration adds to the magic of this romantic house, which has sweeping views to the sea. The elegant Georgian interior houses a famous Grand Tour collection. Outside is a beautiful and peaceful garden.

The dovecote in Nymans Garden, West Sussex, seen through clipped yews