Buckinghamshire
Some of the most exquisite and intriguing historic houses in England are scattered across the South East.
From the Indian-style confection of Brighton Pavilion in East Sussex to the grace of 17th Century Cliveden in Berkshire, the region’s many stately homes and historic buildings are steeped in rich social and architectural heritage.
Aside from these esteemed historic houses mentioned above, there are many other amazing examples in England that the South East can lay claim to. Some of the most iconic from each county are featured here, but find many more and a stately home to visit near you using the map function at the bottom of this page.
Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham re-opened following a £9 million restoration and this fine example of Georgian Gothic architecture is matched by its unique collection of Renaissance painted glass. In south-east London, the Grade I listed Down House was the home of Charles Darwin, now under the ownership of English Heritage.
The National Trust's Polesden Lacy is one of the most visited historic houses in Britain and this old English country mansion houses a fabulous collection of art and ceramics. Guildford House Gallery is a Grade I listed townhouse with many of its original features including a carved staircase and panelled rooms.
Step back to the 15th Century in Southampton at Tudor House, the city's most important historic building or follow in the footsteps of acclaimed author Jane Austen at her house in Chawton where she wrote many of her novels.
On the Isle of Wight, visit Queen Victoria's family home at Osborne House or Carisbrooke Castle, once a prison to King Charles I.
The Elizabethan Mapledurham House near Reading is still home to the descendants of the original owners. Its stunning architecture and beautiful paintings may be familiar to anyone who was watched Midsomer Murders or Miss Marple.
Dorney Court near Windsor is a Tudor Manor House where visitors will find six centuries of artefacts collected over thirteen generations.
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire was built in the late 1800s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild; today it is home one of the most exceptional collections of French 18th Century decorative arts and English portraits in the world. Near Milton Keynes, Bletchley Park was famous as a World War Two code-breaking centre and now houses a superb museum.
The 17th Century Ironmaster's House, Batemans, was the home of Rudyard Kipling and visitors can see the old watermill, one of the world's oldest working water-driven turbines.
The gigantic baroque style of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is one of the most architecturally elaborate historic houses in England. Stonor Park near Henley-on-Thames dates back to Medieval times and behind the red brick facade, lies a treasure trove of architecturally fascinating rooms.
Chartwell is a country house once home to Winston Churchill while the National Trust's Knole in Sevenoaks is of Jacobean architecture and has many historical links with the monarchy and literary figures.
Whether you live locally or are on holiday in South East England, find historic houses near you by selecting the 'map view' button below.
Number of results: 54
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Historic House / Palace
Brighton
The Royal Pavilion, the spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent (George IV), transformed by John Nash between 1815 & 1823 into one of the most dazzling & exotic buildings in the British Isles.
Garden
Abingdon
Range of medieval domestic buildings remaining from Abingdon Abbey.
Historic House / Palace
Lewes
A Tudor house with Georgian additions in downland park setting. Important English and European Old Master paintings, fine furniture and notable Sevres porcelain.
Museum
Alton
Historic house and garden, home of Gilbert White, author of 'The Natural History of Selborne'. Exhibition on Frank Oates, explorer and Capt Lawrence Oates of Antarctic fame.
Castles & Stately Homes
Basingstoke
he Vyne is a warm red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain, which later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. It was remodelled to…
Garden
Haywards Heath
One of the great Gardens of the Sussex Weald with a collection of rare and beautiful plants from all over the world, including breathtaking spring colour in the walled garden, an old fashioned rose garden, summer borders and much more.
Garden
Hartley Wintney
West Green House Gardens is an historic garden with a contemporary twist.
Garden
Stockbridge
A haven of peace above the tranquil beauty of the River Test. Grade II* Gardens with fine trees surround an enchanting and unique example of an 18th Century “Cottage Orne”.
Historic House / Palace
Alton
Chawton House Library is an internationally respected research library with a unique collection of early English women's writing from 1600 to 1830. Access to the Library's collection is for the benefit of academics, scholars, students and the general
Historic House / Palace
Windsor
Late 17th-century royal residence, particularly associated with Queen Charlotte and Queen Victoria.
Historic House / Palace
East Cowes
Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since the country's longest reigning monarch died here just over 100 years ago.
Castle / Fort
Newport
Visit Carisbrooke Castle and enjoy over 800 years of history!
Historic House / Palace
Southampton
Uncover over 800 years of history in the heart of Southampton’s Old Town. Tudor House and Garden gives visitors an insight in to the lives and times of its residents with informative displays and hands on interactive experiences.
Historic House / Palace
TWICKENHAM
In 1813 England’s great landscape painter JMW Turner built a small villa, on a large plot near the Thames at Twickenham. Here, the painter became an architect, guided by the hand of his friend John Soane. Following its careful conservation, Turner’s…
Gallery
Guildford
An exhibition gallery in a restored 17thC house of architectural interest. Temporary exhibitions and selections from the Borough's art collection. Guildford Tourist Information Centre.
Historic House / Palace
Rochester
Situated in the heart of historic Rochester, Eastgate House featured in the work of Charles Dickens.
Historic House / Palace
Faversham
A late 18thC country house designed by Samuel Wyatt, seat of the Harris family since 1801. Harris clock collection, mementos of connections with India. Gardens and pinetum.
Historic House / Palace
Orpington
Visit Down House, the family home of Charles Darwin. Explore the atmospheric family rooms where he lived and worked and learn about his fascinating life and groundbreaking theories with our exhibition “Uncovering Origins” .
Garden
Alresford
Best known for its fine garden, Hinton Ampner is an elegant country house with an outstanding collection of furniture, paintings and objets d'art.
Historic House / Palace
Chichester
Goodwood House combines the glamour of a great English country house with the warmth of a family home. With an outstanding collection of art on display, the House is open from March to October for tours and luxury afternoon tea.
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