Violet Manners Shares Her Favorite Historic Houses In The U.K.

Historic houses in the U.K. are amongst the finest in the world, rich in ancestry with storied pasts, and here to tell their unique stories—the digital way—is Violet Manners.

Founder and CEO of the recently launched HeritageXplore, Manners is on a mission to champion the U.K.’s historic houses, highlighting their beauty and charm to a wider audience via this new digital platform.

She knows the realm well, after all, she’s the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland and grew up at Belvoir Castle. Here, she is able to witness first-hand the uptick of younger, digitally savvy visitors between 18-30, who are ‘heritage-curious’ (no doubt fuelled by popular regency hits like Bridgerton). And so, she sought a solution that would benefit all generations and bring the independent houses together in one place.

Offering a discovery and booking experience for independently owned heritage sites, HeritageXplore has launched with 25 of the U.K.’s 450 estates on the platform, cue her family home of Belvoir Castle as well as Glamis Castle, Holkham Hall, Sudeley Castle and Blenheim Palace, with new sites added every month.

There’s a host of backers, investors and supporters too, including William Wildridge, Simon Guild, Anya Hindmarch CBE and Michael Huffington, Nick Hanauer, Aimee Yang, Flure Grossart, Dorie Smith and Robin Birley. The business is also backed by many of the next-generation custodians of these estates, from the Marquess of Blandford at Blenheim Palace, George, Lord Porchester at Highclere Castle to Imogen Hervey Bathurst at Eastnor Castle and Hon, Perry Pearson at Cowdray Estate.

Fresh from the launch of her new company, Violet shares her pick of historic houses in the U.K.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire has the unique status of being England’s only non-royal palace. Designed by Sir John Vanburgh, it commemorates the 1704 Battle of Blenheim where John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, triumphed. After completion, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown transformed the parkland at Blenheim, installing the majestic lake that runs beneath Vanbrugh’s iconic bridge which has become such a recognisable feature of the Palace today. Blenheim, which remains the home of the Spencer-Churchill family, is also famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and was granted the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Perhaps unsurprisingly given its remarkable setting, the palace has featured in many blockbuster films and TV shows, such as Cinderella (2015), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), and most recently, Bridgerton’s spin-off Queen Charlotte (2023).

Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP

Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire is a marvel of Tudor heritage. Dating back to the 11th century, the stunning destination is rich in royal history. Visit the tomb of Henry VIII’s final wife, Katherine Parr, who spent her last years at Sudeley, or explore the incredible textiles collection, with embroidery dating back to the 17th century.

Address: Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, GL54 5JD

Rockingham Castle

Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire was first built under the instruction of William the Conqueror, shortly after his coronation in 1066. His son rebuilt the wooden construction in stone, forming most of the structure that stands today! Complete with battlements and a vast oak fireplace, this castle is as classic as it gets. Don’t forget to visit the peculiar and spectacular Elephant yew hedge.

Address: Rockingham Castle Estate, Rockingham, Corby, Market Harborough, LE16 8TH

Stonor Park

Experience a journey through time at Stonor Park in Oxfordshire, one of England’s oldest family homes nestled in the picturesque Chiltern Hills. Discover The Adoration of the Magi painting in the Great Hall, where centuries of history unfold amidst medieval, Tudor, and Georgian architecture. Marvel at the ancient Cedar of Lebanon tree which stands proud in the Italianate Pleasure Garden, a testament to Stonor’s enduring legacy, or take a moment to contemplate in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, which resonates with over 850 years of steadfast Catholic heritage.

Address: Stonor, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6HF

Doddington Hall

In 1987, Caroline Seebohm aptly described Doddington as “an architect’s dream in Lincolnshire,” and her observation holds true. The Doddington estate was acquired in 1593 by Thomas Tailor who commissioned Smythson to construct Doddington. Smythson, celebrated as the era’s ‘foremost architect’, deliberately eschewed modern trends to give Doddington an aura of traditional opulence across its 40 rooms. Since 2021, the estate has embarked on a rewilding initiative known as “Wilder Doddington.” This involves the introduction of Mangalica pigs, the transformation of wheat fields into natural grazing grounds, and the introduction of wild ponies to further enrich the estate’s natural diversity! Visitors should not go home without seeing the famous Doddington Pyramid, a 21st century folly designed by Doddington’s previous owner Anthony Jarvis, and built by the current custodians, Anthony’s daughter Claire and her husband James Birch.

Address: Doddington Hall, Main St, Doddington, Lincoln, LN6 4RU

Holkham Hall

One of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in the UK, Holkham Hall in Norfolk was the vision of Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was inspired by his travels across Europe to build a house reflective of Italian classical architecture. Whilst the exterior might be simple in style, the interior is far from it, and visitors can marvel at its decorative extravagance, in particular the famous Marble Hall, with its spectacular ceiling inspired by the Roman Pantheon. The grounds are just as impressive, with over 3000 acres of expansive parkland designed by renowned Georgian landscape-artist William Kent.

Address: Holkham Hall, Holkham Rd, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AB

Belvoir Castle

With roots tracing back to the Norman conquest, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire has undergone many periods of reconstruction over its long history. Originally built as a motte and bailey castle for William the Conqueror’s standard bearer, it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the years, the last time in 1832 by John Manners, the 5th Duke of Rutland and his wife Lady Elizabeth Howard. The castle now stands as an elegant example of Gothic Revival architecture and is owned by the 11th Duke of Rutland, David Manners, and his wife Emma, Duchess of Rutland. Emma and her team have just completed a huge two-year restoration programme of Belvoir’s grounds to bring lost plans drawn up by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown to fruition. Visitors should not go home without seeing the extraordinary Elizabeth Saloon, named after Elizabeth Howard in the style of Louis XIV.

Address: Belvoir Castle, Woolsthorpe Rd, Grantham, NG32 1PA

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle in Scotland has a rich, royal, and rather spooky history. Known for its thick fortress walls and gothic architecture, it was first built in 1372 for Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis and has remained in the Lyon family ever since. Notably, it was the birthplace and family home of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who would go on to marry King George VI and become Queen of England. It was also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s most ghostly play Macbeth, and it certainly lives up to its eerie reputation. Many spirits are said to roam Glamis’ haunted halls, the most famous being the “Grey Lady,” or Janet Douglas as she was known in life, the wife of the 6th Lord Glamis, who was falsely accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake by James V of Scotland!

Address: Glamis Castle, Forfar, Scotland, DD8 1RJ

Grimsthorpe Castle

There has been some kind of castle on the site of Grimsthorpe in Lincolnshire since the early 13th century and it has been the seat of the Willoughby de Eresby family since 1516. Rebuilt in the Baroque style by celebrated architect Sir John Vanbrugh, it is Vanbrugh’s last country house and the Great Hall he designed for Grimsthorpe has been described by art historian Nikolaus Pevsner as “unquestionably Vanbrugh’s finest room.” Grimsthorpe is also home to a fantastic art and furniture collection, including a number of royal thrones and from more recent times, work by famous 20th century artists Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon. In pop culture, the Great Hall played a starring role in the latest series of Bridgerton, where it was used as the setting for Season Three’s “Innovations Ball.”

Address: Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne, PE10 0LY

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