Take 5… Homes near to racecourses
With Cheltenham underway this week, we’ve picked five homes for you to choose from with one of the world famous tracks on the doorstep.
Take 5… Homes for Bridgerton fans
A year ago, we were all transfixed watching the scandalous lives of high society families in a Regency-inspired ton. Now, the second series of Bridgerton has hit our Netflix screens once more. 82 million households tuned in last time, but if you’re in the few that haven’t seen it yet, the TV adaptation of Julia Quinn’s novels includes all the empire-waist dresses, queenly proclamations and controversial love connections you could want from a period drama. There were no shortage of amazing homes as backdrops to the twists and turns of the series.
The show was filmed in various locations across the UK but some of the grandest properties are set in London. Perhaps the most memorable was the strikingly beautiful wisteria that covered the façade of the Bridgerton family home, filmed at Ranger’s House in Greenwich. The property is not short of history in being home to aristocrats: in 1813 it was home to King George’s older sister, Princess Augusta. Elsewhere in London, the gentlemen’s club where Viscount Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings met was filmed at The Reform Club in Pall Mall. It’s no surprise that the club has been used as a set for many TV series and films, being packed full of history and hailed a masterpiece of classical architecture.
When you hear Regency Britain, perhaps your mind automatically goes towards the city of Bath. With its honey-hued streets, it’s no surprise it has been a film location for many stories of high society. Lady Danbury’s pillared home looks as if it might be set in upper class London but the scenes were filmed at Holburne Museum. The Grade I listed building is home to fine and decorative arts so is a perfect setting for a lady of high society. Another location that we all assumed was filmed in London was the home of Lady Whistledown herself. Although fictionally set in Grosvenor Square, it can actually be found in the golden street of the Royal Crescent. The buildings of this sweeping crescent have been called one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK.
As we binge season two this week, we’ve picked five truly wonderful homes that Lady Wistledown herself would approve of:
Hunton Court is listed Grade II and unusually for Kent, is
constructed of a mellow ragstone reminiscent of that found in the Cotswolds.
This impressive house lies at the end of two long driveways, before meandering
through 132 acres of beautiful and established 18th Century parkland - that of
serpentine lakes, artfully arranged tree planting and ancient and picturesque
stone bridges creating a magical setting for this unique house.
This attractive Georgian house has been expertly reconfigured to provide six double bedrooms in the main house, with a lift, and a further two bedrooms in the self-contained mews house which can be directly accessed from the garden, or a subterranean passageway from the main house. The house benefits from high ceilings throughout and has magnificent reception rooms overlooking the river Thames, set behind a gated front garden and further protected by the Chelsea Embankment communal gardens, with stunning views of Albert Bridge.
Shropham House, Shropham, Norfolk
Shropham House is a most attractive Late Georgian and Regency village house that has been lovingly restored in its entirety to provide superb family accommodation that is finished to an excellent standard. Built of gault brick and partly flint elevations under slate hipped roofs with chimney stacks left and right, the property offers over 7,000 sq/ft of internal accommodation over two storeys.
Milbourne Hall, Milbourne, Newcastle upon Tyne
Constructed of Belsay Stone, which is flecked with nuggets of iron, and with origins believed to date back to 1807, Milbourne Hall is one of the region’s most exquisite Grade I Georgian mansion houses. Its many character features and architectural details include a distinctive central rotunda topped by a stunning dome, elegant sash windows with their original shutters, impressive ceiling heights with detailed cornicing, curved doors to fit into curved apertures and period fireplaces.
Ivy House, East Molesey, Surrey
Ivy House displays Georgian exuberance in all its splendour and noteworthy residents over the years include the Earl of Ypres, Lady Ainsworth and also the ‘most talked of’ person in London at George III’s coronation; the Countess of Effingham. As one would expect due to its historical importance and special architectural features it is designated with Grade II listed status.
