The UK boasts over 3000 stately homes. The preservation of the UK’s cultural heritage plays a crucial role in connecting communities with their past, which is why over 200 of the country’s stately homes are owned, managed and maintained by the National Trust. From Chatsworth House to Highclere Castle, these incredible structures, formerly occupied by aristocratic families, are now mostly open to the public and often host weddings, historical re-enactments and film crews.
Indeed, stately homes are considered beacons of architectural excellence and historical importance - but what exactly defines a stately home? Generally considered to be a large, rural house or mansion built between the 1600s and the early 1900s, there are many architectural and interior features commonly associated with stately homes.
Grand Halls And Reception Rooms
The grant hall or stateroom was mostly used for entertainment purposes. Lavishly decorated and maintained to the highest standards, the grand hall is where the resident family would host balls, dinners and other social events, accommodating VIP visitors, including members of the royal family. Nowadays, grand halls and staterooms are primarily used to host weddings, charity gala balls and corporate events; however, they are still maintained to the same high standards as they were in their heyday.
High Number Of Bedrooms
The largest stately home in the UK is Wentworth Woodhouse in the Borough of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Built circa 1725, this imposing structure boasts an astonishing 250,000 square feet of floor space and 365 bedrooms. On the other hand, Britain’s smallest stately home is grade II listed Ebberston Hall at a mere 500 square feet. Even so, as a general rule, stately homes were designed with hosting as a priority, with ample accommodation for the resident family, guests and staff.
Ornate Furniture
Stately homes invariably feature a vast array of luxury, handcrafted furnishings, antiques and priceless artwork. From giltwood armchairs to state beds to mahogany roll-top desks, the astounding level of expert craftsmanship cannot be matched. While a lot of the original French and Italian furniture collected throughout the decades remains intact and expertly preserved, many proprietors commission modern reproductions of antique furniture for maximum historical accuracy and functionality.
Vast Gardens
The aggrandisement of private gardens during the 18th and 19th centuries led to progressively more extensive and magnificent surrounding grounds - primarily thanks to English gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. After all, what else is there to do with all that private land? Brown is responsible for stunning the landscapes of Corsham Court, Alnwick Castle, Croome Park and many more. A house’s gardens provided an excellent opportunity for resident families to showcase their wealth with ornate water features, sculpted hedgerows and sweeping perennial meadows.
Large Entrance Halls
The first thing anybody sees when stepping through the front door of a grand stately home is its marvellous reception room. Featuring crystal chandeliers, cantilever stone staircases and polished marble floors, the entrance hall is where hosts would greet their esteemed guests. Arguably one of the grandest stately home entrance halls is that of Chatsworth House, with stunning ceilings painted by Sir James Thornhill, depicting the life of Julius Caesar.
Chapels
The majority of stately homes feature ancillary buildings like staff quarters and chapels. Often richly decorated and ornate, the chapel was a place for the resident family and their staff to gather for worship. Although many of these chapels are now considered secular due to the removal of religious iconography, many are still licensed wedding venues and available for hire.
William Morris Wallpaper
British textile designer William Morris was a celebrated visionary and craftsman in the nineteenth century, and his work is still highly popular with modern interior designers. A pioneer in the Arts and Crafts Movement, Morris is perhaps best known for his wallpaper designs, which can be spotted in the likes of Wightwick Manor, Rodmarton Manor and many more stately homes connected to this significant late 1800s movement in the decorative and fine arts.
Artwork
As mentioned, stately homes feature an abundance of fine artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and needlework. Some pieces may have been bought from famous artists as a statement of wealth, whereas others are portraits depicting family members as a demonstration of importance and social status. Many pieces of art have been carefully preserved and act as a visual insight into the past of stately homes and the heritage of their residents.