The timeless allure of a country house holiday

Large country houses, and their surrounding estates, form the backbone of the British countryside – and an iconic part of our culture. Amongst scented orangeries, sun-drenched tennis courts, and wood-panelled drawing rooms we can revisit the elegance of days gone by. The manor house weekend is an evocative chapter in the history of travel.

The stately home has always felt like a world apart: an exclusive realm for a select few. While this is still true to some extent, today it’s entirely possible to host a classic country house break of your own. Many of our owners are the custodians of vast family estates, which they choose to open for guests to experience. So, if you long to evoke those endless days of garden parties, packed hampers, and cocktails, this could be your golden opportunity.

But what defines the perfect country house holiday? Here, we’ve considered the essential elements that make it so special.

At the centre of it all is the house itself. This may be a modern mansion, a manor house or a lofty hall, but the key ingredient is space: to be with each other, and with yourself. The stately home’s generous reception rooms and delightful nooks, crannies, and tucked-away sofas provide everyone with a window to relaxation. There’s something gorgeously restorative about slipping away, unseen, to a quiet library corner.

But while spacious, these grand addresses are robed in additional splendour. Many claim fascinating back-stories and feature remarkable artworks, antiques, and period furnishings. And though these homes are often historic, each of the properties in our collection remains deeply luxurious, having undergone extensive restoration or refurbishment for modern-day guests.

The care and attention lavished on each property is mirrored in its grounds. During the glory days of the country house, gardens and parkland acted as statement pieces: sweeping, sculpted, and meticulously planned for maximum effect. This vision remains with us today, as we reap all the enjoyment of serene lakeside walks, leafy avenues, curling driveways and sheltered walled gardens.

These realms possess a quiet power to soothe and awe. A steaming pot of tea accompanied by the dawn chorus; the rising, heady scent of roses in full bloom; or even the rare sight of a curious deer. Fleeting moments make a lasting impression.

Alongside this, gardens form the backdrop for so much more: including al fresco lunches, tennis matches, lawn games, and late-night stargazing. On a fine day, you could easily fill the hours outside, gathering around a fire pit or wood-fired barbecue as the dappled sun gives way to stars. What could be nicer?

It’s impossible to think of the English countryside without its scenes of sporting life. Whether you prefer watching from afar or joining the fun, each year is punctuated by a calendar of milestones. From wax-jacketed winter shoots to sun-drenched summer polo matches, the changing seasons bring fresh events in the cycle.

With estates of their own, many of the properties in our collection place you at the heart of the action. You may find yourself horse riding at Halverton Hall, or shooting and fishing at Cowdray or The Waterside Retreat. Whenever you visit, and whatever you choose, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the countryside lifestyle.

Often designed with entertainment in mind, stately residences are ideal venues in which to gather. These properties once hosted sporting weekends and genteel house parties, coming alive with food, music and entertainment. So, while you’re here, be sure to make the most of those spacious kitchens and dining rooms.

If cooking feeds your soul, you’ll love the opportunity to create shared feasts in an inspirational setting. Here, you can often work with the latest appliances, multiple ovens, and sizeable prep areas. Or, if you prefer to be catered to, this can be arranged: let a private chef handle everything while your party enjoys drinks in the sitting room (Claybourne Manor even has its own billiard room bar).

In places like these it’s tempting to throw ourselves, full-bodied, into doing. Yet of equal importance is the wonderful feeling of simply being: unwinding, letting go, and finding an escape. Lazy afternoon teas, slow yoga, poolside-sipped iced drinks. Nurturing wellbeing is an essential part of any holiday.

As with sports, relaxation often looks and feels different depending on the time of year. Warm weather heralds all the languor of sun-lounger paperbacks and picnics spread in the shade, while winter is the time for fireside board games, hot chocolates, and what PG Woodhouse once described as “the general atmosphere of leisured cosiness.”

So, outsource tasks like itineraries to our concierge, take advantage of any inclusive housekeeping, or book a visiting spa therapist. This is your time to shine.

Even in this most timeless of holiday formats, among the oldest properties, evolution occurs. The indulgences of yesteryear have become accepted and even expected, with new innovations taking their place. Hot tubs, cinema rooms, saunas and swimming pools now top the list of enticing extras. The nostalgia of 1920s glamour is complemented by a later century’s Nespresso machines, spa toiletries, and underfloor heating.

With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that the country house holiday remains a group favourite. Encompassing acres of space, privacy, and some of the UK’s most picturesque settings, these are destinations to dream of.