Britain’s most spectacular stately homes

Highclere Castle. Creative Commons
Highclere Castle. Creative Commons

As these photos show, we have some gorgeous grand houses in Britain, from giants such as Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth and Highclere Castle to lesser-known gems

From Downton fantasies to dreams of Mr Darcy, nothing captures the imagination quite like Britain’s beautiful stately homes.

Once solely the proud ancestral seats of royalty and landed gentry, which the rest of us could only peek from afar or working ‘downstairs’, manor houses and country estates across the UK have now opened their doors and their gardens to the public. Architectural wonders, beautiful landscaping, lavish art collections and intriguing tales of visiting royals and secret scandals lie beyond their gates…

Scroll down for stunning photographs of some of our favourite stately homes

Castle Howard. Credit: Visit York
Castle Howard. Credit: Visit York
Chatsworth in Derbyshire is recognisable to many as Mr Darcy's home, Pemberley, in the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice.
Chatsworth in Derbyshire. Credit: Chatsworth House Trust
Chatsworth's Painted Hall.
Chatsworth’s Painted Hall. Credit: Chatsworth House Trust
Luton Hoo. Credit: James Kerr
Luton Hoo. Credit: James Kerr
Burghley's 3rd George room
Burghley’s 3rd George room. Credit: Burghley House
The elegant gardens at Hatfield House. Credit: Hatfield House
The elegant gardens at Hatfield House. Credit: Hatfield House
An aerial view of Longleat House. Credit: Jason Hawkes
An aerial view of Longleat House. Credit: Jason Hawkes