Properties to visit

The Historic Houses Association's membership includes over 350 of Britain's finest and most interesting properties to visit.

Many of these are in private ownership - lived in and cared for by private individuals and families, often descendants of the people who built them.

You can visit:

• spectacular palaces such as Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace
• grand and architecturally important historic houses such as Wilton House, Grimsthorpe, Longleat and Holkham
• smaller manor houses surrounded by beautiful gardens
• important gardens in their own right, including Great Dixter, Holker Hall, Exbury Gardens and Hergest Croft
• gardens that have won the Association's prestigious annual 'Garden of the Year Award' sponsored by Christie's, the international auctioneers.

In addition to their splendid presence, surroundings and artefacts, many properties have tearooms, restaurants and shops. Some have children's playgrounds and many have a huge range of special events and attractions throughout the summer.