Great Houses of Britain and their features

By Keith A. Forbes and Lois A. Forbes at keithaforbes@btinternet.com

We are married Scottish and American respectively former authors, economic garden and travel writers and historians. Read about our ancestors of the 13th century, descended from John de Forbes of Scotland. We have visited and written about these unusual, dramatic and beautiful Treasures of or about Britain from our own personal experiences and present them for a world-wide audience.

Features

As they are with Castles, the British Isles are famous for the number, variety and architecture of their historic Great Houses in every county of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Many are listed in the Historic Houses Association or in the care of Historic Scotland or National Trust for Scotland. Quite a few are still lived in by the descendants of the noble families who built or acquired them. Others now belong to historic or civic organizations which maintain their exteriors and interiors and charge an entry fee to properties or gardens or both. Most properties are open to the public during the day but you should always confirm the actual days with them. See their style of architecture. Sense their histories. Acquire more details from the properties themselves.

From left to right. The Minstrel's gallery is a balcony in the Great Hall which was used by musicians who played at feasts or by special invitation. The Linenfold panel is a design in wood panels which looks like draped cloth. For privacy in the Four Poster bed and to keep out draughts, curtains were drawn at night. Above occupants, the Painted ceiling illustrated myths or famous stories.

From left to right. The Fire screen was used by ladies to shield their faces from the heat of the fire in the bedroom. The Basin and jug was for washing, before homes had bathrooms. Maids brought water. The Secret door blended with the wall so it was hidden when closed. Silent Companions are painted wooden figures, usually put near fire places to keep ladies company.

From left to right. Bellrope. It rang in the servant's quarters or kitchen, when pulled. The Mirror reflected candles to make the bedroom brighter. The Spit roasted meat over a fire. A boy turned the handle so it cooked uniformly. Warming pans were filled with hot water to warm and air beds.

Left. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, an exquisite stately home built from 1705 to 1722 in the Classical style copied from Ancient Greece and Rome. This style has many columns. Right. Boughton House, Kettering, Northamptonshire. Home of Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry and Montagu ancestors since 1528, a 500 year old Tudor building, a monastery until the Reformation. Now around seven courtyards, it has the French style addition of 1695 which earned it the claim of the Versailles of England. The Garden is also nice.

Harewood House and Hatfield House. In Hertfordshire, the latter dates from the Jacobean period (1603 to 1625), when James 1 of England and the sixth of Scotland was king. The house was built from 1607 to 1611. Brick was then a popular building material.

Knebworth House, Hertfordshire. In Victorian times, many large and grand houses - like this one - were rebuilt in Gothic. It was first used in the Middle Ages. Like many other British country houses, this one has a fascinating history. Longleat House. One of many fine country houses of this style. It was built in the Elizabethan Age of 1588 to 1603. It was then that Britain produced some of its finest explores and navigators, like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Many large Great Houses throughout Great Britain were constructed in the shape of an "E."

Oxburgh Hall. At King's Lynn in Norfolk, this is a splendid example of a fortified manor house. Much later than many other stately British country homes, it was first built in 1482 by the Bedingfield family who still live here. There is also a garden. Early manor houses of this type often had a moat and strong gatehouse. Royal Pavilion. Easy to access by bus, train, automobile or air. It is in a style of its own. It does not look British, but is. The outside appears to be Indian, the inside Chinese. It was built for the Prince Regent, later King George the Fourth. At the time, he and many others had a fascination for things mystical and Oriental.

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Great Houses of Britain and their features

Historic properties outside and what they have inside

Features

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