Majestic manors and storybook stately homes
Chatsworth in the Peak District is writing a new chapter in its storied history with Chatsworth Escapes, allowing guests to stay on and around the estate in atmospheric heritage properties, from cosy cottages to a 16th-century hunting tower. Bespoke packages include the Chatsworth Curated Escape, which features a private, customised tour of Chatsworth House and Garden, food and drink sourced from the estate, plus a stay at The Cavendish Hotel. It’s a treat for any Jane Austen fan: this historic property is said to have inspired Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice and took a starring role in director Joe Wright’s 2005 film adaptation.
Another screen sensation is West Yorkshire’s Harewood House, as seen in Downton Abbey and Netflix’s upcoming Pride and Prejudice series. Harewood Holidays offer self-catering stays on the estate where heritage meets sustainability, as all cottages are heated by renewable energy and offer electric car charging points. The 4,000-acre estate is ripe for country hikes and cycling, with visitors able to saddle up for routes that featured in the 2014 Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire with bike hire from Vern Overton Cycling. Or, take things at a slower pace at the Arch Barn studio with yoga, pilates and holistic treatments.
Seasonal food takes pride of plate at Hampton Manor in Warwickshire, which boasts two prestigious restaurants, a cookery school and artisan bakery. The centrepiece is one-Michelin-starred Grace & Savour, with a tasting menu celebrating the estate’s own homegrown produce from its walled garden. There are 24 bedrooms to choose from, and the hotel is entirely powered by renewable energy. Within a 30-minute drive of Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s well situated for exploring Shakespeare’s England.
In the south-west of England, Devon was the setting for Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility and is set to appear in its 2026 big-screen adaptation too. Peek into the county’s period past in five-star luxury at Lympstone Manor, a Georgian hotel with its own vineyard. Now owned by chef-patron Michael Caines MBE, the property overlooks the Exe estuary – an area which inspires Caines’ menus in his three Michelin-starred dining rooms. Guests can choose from 21 bedrooms and suites, many of which enjoy estuary views, or six shepherds’ huts nestled in the nearby woodland. Hotel residents can also enjoy exclusive vineyard tours from May to September. A calendar highlight is The Celebration of Speed, part-motoring, part-music festival, taking place on 8 July 2026.
The spellbinding landscapes of Snowdonia (Eryri), as seen in House of the Dragon, are within easy reach of Palé Hall, a Victorian country house hotel in North Wales’ Dee Valley. Its bedrooms feel straight out of a fairytale – especially its two Turret Rooms, with garden and mountain views. The Henry Robertson Dining Room serves up fine dining and towering afternoon teas with a Michelin Green Star touch. Estate experiences range from simulated game days to wine tastings and creative workshops with local artists, including hands-on pottery sessions.
Captivating castle retreats
With complimentary daytime castle entry and out-of-hours access to the grounds, a stay at Leeds Castle is a behind-the-scenes break that’s oozing with history. Accommodation options include bed-and-breakfast in the 16th-century Maiden’s Tower and a self-catering stay at the Lakeside Lodges. For an extra-special stay, book a night in one of the castle’s luxurious bedrooms to experience life within its historic walls. Local, seasonal fare is dished up at Castle View Restaurant and guests can also make the most of the estate’s nine-hole golf course.
With its rugged tors and wild ponies, Dartmoor National Park is set to be the star of the upcoming Sense and Sensibility remake, directed by Georgia Oakley. Built in 1907, Bovey Castle is a fittingly atmospheric Dartmoor destination for any costume drama fan, nestled in a 275-acre estate. Opt for a Castle Room for a truly stately stay immersed in the property’s rich history, with spacious interiors and views of the courtyard or woodland. Facilities at the on-site Elan Spa and Studio include a leisure pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room for a relaxing visit, while the estate’s 18-hole championship golf course poses a challenge for both competitive and social players.
If the walls of Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh could talk, they’d tell centuries of stories: it is one of Scotland’s oldest inhabited castles, after all. But it’s been brought bang up to date with a £5 million refurbishment, reopening its doors in April 2026. Its 29 characterful bedrooms are crowned by two themed Castle Suites. Eateries include the Dungeon Restaurant, where diners are joined by shining suits of armour. Plus, its range of estate experiences, from archery to falconry, could be straight out of a costume drama like Outlander.
For a regal rental, the Landmark Trust is a charity that rescues and preserves Britain’s historic buildings. Dating back to 1545, Fairburn Tower in the Scottish Highlands was carefully restored and reopened as a self-catering property for four guests in 2022. Outlander fans can use this romantic bolthole as a base for exploring Culloden Battlefield, which featured in the show.