A “fairytale” castle said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle has been swathed in pink mesh to protect it during a major conservation project. Work is beginning early this year to restore the pink harling at Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire and “futureproof” it against damage from rain and climate change. The harling at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) … [Read more...] about Scottish Castle swathed in seven stories of pink mesh for conservation work
Stately Homes
Butlers trained by Prince’s Foundation bring Christmas cheer to Dumfries House
Dumfries House – the stately home rescued by the King – has been decked out for Christmas with thousands of baubles and festive lights. The elegant decorations at the 18th-century stately home in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, were put in place by a team of butlers who were trained in hospitality by the Prince’s Foundation. Sustainable materials like glass and paper were used, … [Read more...] about Butlers trained by Prince’s Foundation bring Christmas cheer to Dumfries House
Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 18 – Blenheim Palace, Portsmouth Dockyard, and Rousham Park
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, I talk about three great experiences from my trip last July that I haven’t had the chance to talk about yet. After we give some big operational updates about Anglotopia, I talk about my visit to Blenheim Palace. There are a ton of new exhibitions and things to see at Britain’s only non-royal, non-ecclesiastical palace. Thinking of … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 18 – Blenheim Palace, Portsmouth Dockyard, and Rousham Park
Laura’s Britain: A Visit to Idyllic Ightham Mote National Trust in Kent
A friend said to me; I think I know a National Trust property that you haven't visited. She was right, and I wondered how I had missed this stunning 14th-century timber-framed manor house. Ightham Mote in Kent is one of the oldest medieval manor houses to survive in England. A moat surrounds the house with beautiful gardens, lakes, and woodland walks. Built nearly 700 years … [Read more...] about Laura’s Britain: A Visit to Idyllic Ightham Mote National Trust in Kent
Ten National Trust Houses from Film and Television
The United Kingdom produces so many historical shows and films that they could be considered a national export. Of course, it’s good that the country has so many great manor homes to use to double as places like Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley Estate or Batman’s Wayne Manor. Fortunately for the British film and television industry, the National Trust has plenty of manor homes and … [Read more...] about Ten National Trust Houses from Film and Television
Brit History: Book Excerpt – How to Run a Stately Home – From Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the English Stately Home After WII
Editor's Note: The publishers of Adrian Tinniswood's latest book - Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the English State Home After World War II - have kindly provided us with this excerpt to share with Anglotopia readers. We'll have a review of the book in due course. Here's the Amazon link for the book. The Earl of Rhyall was broke. The responsibility of hanging on to his … [Read more...] about Brit History: Book Excerpt – How to Run a Stately Home – From Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the English Stately Home After WII
Great British Houses: Rainham Hall National Trust
Rainham Hall is a charming Grade II* listed Queen Anne house in a London suburb. Now a visitor attraction run by the National Trust, Rainham Hall was built in 1729 as a successful sea merchant's home. It is regarded as one of the finest and best-preserved examples in England of a medium-sized early Georgian merchant’s house. Many National Trust properties have benefitted from … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Rainham Hall National Trust
An Anglophile Meditation: An Essay On The English Stately Home – Book Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from my recent book Adventures in Anglotopia. It's my favorite chapter of the book and gives you a good idea of what to expect in the book. It's available from booksellers everywhere - go to this page to get the links to all the bookstores to buy a copy. Your journey to the Stately Home starts with a long driveway that takes you far away from the … [Read more...] about An Anglophile Meditation: An Essay On The English Stately Home – Book Excerpt
Anglophile Vignettes: A Secret Place Where Time Stands Still – Calke Abbey in Derbyshire
Editor’s Note: The world is on pause right now. No one is going anywhere. This site was founded in 2007 during a dark time when we were unable to travel to Britain and now, 13 years later, we - and along with the rest of the world - find ourselves in the same position. This is a huge time of uncertainty and the travel industry is going to be devastated, we’re all terrified and … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: A Secret Place Where Time Stands Still – Calke Abbey in Derbyshire
Exploring Cumbria: A Visit to Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle was my third destination on my final day exploring the Lake District. I’ve previously written about my visit to the Ravenglass & Eskdale railway which you can read here. I will be writing about going through the Hardknott Pass in an upcoming issue of the Anglotopia Magazine. By the time I arrived at Muncaster Castle, I was, to say the least exhausted. But … [Read more...] about Exploring Cumbria: A Visit to Muncaster Castle
Bletchley Park: New Exhibition Report – D-Day: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion
Bletchley Park is the home of British codebreaking and a birthplace of modern information technology. It played a major role in World War Two, producing secret intelligence which had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the conflict. Due to its exceptional historical importance, this nineteenth-century mansion and estate in Buckinghamshire is open to visitors … [Read more...] about Bletchley Park: New Exhibition Report – D-Day: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion
Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 8 – The National Trust and the Royal Oak Foundation
This week on the Anglotopia podcast, we talk about one of Britain's most important heritage institutions, The National Trust, guardians of Britain's stately homes and landscape. We talk about the history of the trust, our favorite National Trust places to visit and some tips to make the most of your visits to a NT property. This episode was sponsored by the Royal Oak … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 8 – The National Trust and the Royal Oak Foundation
Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
I visited Ightham Mote on a beautiful summer's day. And that's the last time I'm going to type the name of this place because it's impossible to get right every time. I was attracted to the place because it was a proper moated manor house - and it was a National Trust property, so there would be tea and cake. I'm a sucker for tea and cake at a National Trust property. When I … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
Blenheim Palace Restoration Project Reveals Hidden Rooms in Iconic Bridge – Cool Pictures
The Palladian Bridge at Blenheim Palace has been described as one of the best views in England. But I learned something new recently - the bridge is actually a building and has over 30 rooms, which have recently been uncovered during restoration work. The lake at Blenheim has been drained and there is an ongoing dredging project to restore the lake. While doing this, the … [Read more...] about Blenheim Palace Restoration Project Reveals Hidden Rooms in Iconic Bridge – Cool Pictures
Anglophile Alert: Great Book Giveaway: The Country House Past, Present, Future -Great Houses of the British Isles
Anglotopia is pleased to announce our newest giveaway, The Country House Past, Present, Future- Great houses of the British Isles by David Cannadine & Jeremy Musson. This gorgeous coffee table book is a treasure trove of all things great British homes. It has been produced by both The Royal Oak Foundation, along with The National Trust. Packed with 16 chapters and over 432 … [Read more...] about Anglophile Alert: Great Book Giveaway: The Country House Past, Present, Future -Great Houses of the British Isles
Kipling’s Rest: A Visit to Bateman’s – ‘A Good and Peaceable Place’ – The Beloved Home of Rudyard Kipling
When I visited the home of Rudyard Kipling, Bateman's, it was serendipitous. I'd had a busy day exploring Kent and my itinerary took less time than I'd allocated. Mostly because it was raining on and off during the day so I couldn't spend a lot of time outside. So, with some extra free time, I decided to direct the car SatNav to Bateman's when I discovered it was … [Read more...] about Kipling’s Rest: A Visit to Bateman’s – ‘A Good and Peaceable Place’ – The Beloved Home of Rudyard Kipling
A Secret Place Where Time Stands Still: Exploring Calke Abbey – A Photo Tour
I've visited a lot of places in Britain in my years of exploring this beautiful country but by far my favorite place so far is Calke Abbey. On the surface it looks like a fairly unremarkable Stately Home - it looks like many others in a similar architectural style that you would find all over Britain. But the real treasure is what's on the inside. The house has been left in … [Read more...] about A Secret Place Where Time Stands Still: Exploring Calke Abbey – A Photo Tour
King of Stately Homes: A Visit to Chatsworth – A Photo Tour – Chatsworth Reopens After £32 Million Renovation
Chatsworth has been a work in progress for the last ten years. A survey at the beginning of the century found that Chatsworth was in urgent need of repairs and renovations to preserve the house for future generations. Chatsworth, to us, is the King of Stately Homes. You've seen it in countless TV shows and movies - most famously in Pride & Prejudice. For many of us, it will … [Read more...] about King of Stately Homes: A Visit to Chatsworth – A Photo Tour – Chatsworth Reopens After £32 Million Renovation
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
