The Castles, Cathedrals and Stately Homes of the United Kingdom punctuate the landscape reflecting the lifestyles of kings and noblemen of the past. Many of these buildings are open to the public. If we add an inn close to a stately home, we add a ‘Visit Britain’ symbol.

Stately Homes

Stunning Architecture These are a small selection of houses we’ve been lucky enough to visit whilst roaming the country rooting out good quality inns. There are many more to visit and many pubs to visit in the vicinity. One of our Fat Badgers even managed to sneak in to see Prime Ministers Question Time in the Houses of Parliament a few years ago but we can’t really talk about it as there’s usually an umpteen year waiting list. Other favourites Beaulieu village in Hampshire, southern England, on the estuary of the River Beaulieu and the edge of the New Forest, 6 miles Southwest of Southampton, is home to Palace House. The National Motor Museum and the remains of a Cistercian abbey are in the grounds of the home of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. The museum was founded by Lord Montagu in 1952 in memory of his father. It traces the history of motoring since 1894 and includes over 200 cars, motor cycles, and bicycles. Castle Howard is located 15 miles north of York in northern England. Built by Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, this was the first building of any kind designed by Sir John Vanbrugh. Nicholas Hawksmoor also played an important part in the realisation of the design. Building started in 1700. Three hundred acres of formal and woodland gardens were laid out around this classical building from the 18th century to the present day. A spectacular fountain is found in the front courtyard and peacocks and other fauna are scattered throughout the grounds. Inside the house are many rooms containing paintings by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Holbein, Rubens, and a host of other famous artists, along with antique and classical sculpture, fine furniture, and the many and varied objects which have been accumulated over three hundred years.