Private Visits: historic houses and gardens

Due to personal connections with the owners of these properties, Dream Escape can arrange special visits to some of our most well-preserved and impressive aristocratic homes across the UK and Ireland, which are generally off limits to the general public. Embark on an extraordinary journey through British history, from private garden experiences to personal tours with the owners. A warm welcome awaits.

HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE, Northern Ireland

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has served as the home of the Secretary of State since the 1970s. It is also a working royal palace, functioning as the official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland. Dream Escape guests will enjoy private tours before the castle has opened to the public, as well as private lunches or dinners in style in one of the magnificent Georgian mansion's State Rooms.Choose from the intimate Red Room (originally the Drawing Room), the State Dining Room (the setting for countless state dinners with prime ministers, presidents and heads of state) or the glorious Throne Room dominated by a silk coat of arms and two magnificent ‘chairs of state’, which represent the monarch when she’s not in residence. Explore 100 acres of stunning gardens and the Georgian house.

SEZINCOTE, England

Sezincote

Located in the North Cotswolds, Sezincote is a truly unique, traditional, family-run estate, sitting at 875 feet above sea level. Dream Escape travel designers arrange private tours of the house and gardens, where guests can meet Greg Power, the Head Gardener, who used to work at Buckingham Palace; and owner Edward Peake. There's 3,500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside, and a 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace, set in a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, waterfalls and canals reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. The south front, complete with curving orangery, unfurls above a Reptondesigned landscape that has remained unchanged since the mid-19th century. The garden is blessed by a series of springfed pools connected by gurgling water, which eventually tumbles into the Island Pool in the valley bottom, before joining the River Evenlode below.

HAREWOOD HOUSE, England

Harewood House

Home of the Queen’s cousins, Harewood House is as grand as they come – Palladian mansion, Chippendale furniture, Adam-style interiors, Capability Brown landscapes, Italianate terrace, and a worldclass collection of paintings. You might even recognise Harewood House from the screen, as it was used extensively in the filming of ITV’s Victoria. Harewood sits in the heart of Yorkshire and is one of the Treasure Houses of England. The house was built in the 18th century and has art collections to rival the finest in Britain. Harewood tops the chart for grandeur.

LISMORE CASTLE, Ireland

Lismore Castle

If you wish to sleep in an Irish castle, Dream Escape organises private dinners, events and exclusive overnight stays at Lismore Castle. Built by King John in 1185 it's steeped in history and has connections to Chatswoth and the Dukes of Devonshire. In fact, The Duke of Devonshire himself has flown over to greet our guests. Inside these stone walls there's an impressive collection of art, including Old Masters and contemporary pieces. Spend some time enjoying the picturesque walled gardens with your own private afternoon tea. It's possible to arrange children’s treasure hunts, fireworks displays overlooking the River Blackwater, medieval village themed garden parties, and a lot more besides.

CASTLE WARD, Northern Ireland

Castle Ward

IMAGE © NATIONAL TRUST / CHRIS LACEY

As featured in our Game of Thrones article p65, Castle Ward is available for exclusive private visits. This unique 18th-century mansion was built with two completely different architectural styles, both inside and out. One half of the eccentric 18thcentury house, overlooking Strangford Lough is the classical Palladian style, with the other half (which faces out across Strangford lough) built in a much more elaborate Georgian Gothic style. Cocreator of this dichotomous style was Lady Anne Bligh, who has become a symbol of mystery and speculation, depicted as unusual because of her independence of mind and spirit.

MOUNT STEWART, Northern Ireland

Mount Stewart

Tucked away along the shores of Strangford Lough, Mount Stewart stately home is home to one of the top ten gardens in the world, reflecting a rich tapestry of design and great planting artistry that was the hallmark of Edith, Lady Londonderry. Take a private tour of the house and gardens to enjoy the art and fascinating artefacts inside the house (portraits, silver collections and other family treasures), and to meet the Head Gardener, who shares scandalous stories about previous occupants. Each area of garden, including the Shamrock Garden, the Sunken Garden, Spanish Garden, the Italian Garden, Dodo Terrace, Fountain Pool and Lily Wood has a wonderful story behind it.

RUSSBOROUGH HOUSE, Ireland

Russborough House

Filled with hidden treasures from the Renaissance to the 20th century, Russborough is regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses. It has magnificent views of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains. In 1978 Sir Alfred Beit opened the house for guided tours, an experience guests still enjoy today. The house is beautifully maintained and lavishly decorated with fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain, silver and much of the Beit collection of paintings. It also has beautiful ceilings, plasterwork and a fine mahogany staircase, while outside there is a maze, a walled garden, an ice house, and the original Russborough line kiln, dating from 1740.

MARLFIELD HOUSE, Ireland

Marlfield House

Marlfield House is renowned for its hospitality and service, welcoming guests for over 40 years, and recognised as one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Wexford, Ireland, with a focus on environmentally sustainable practices. Set in 36 acres of woodland, with an ornamental lake, rose, vegetable and herb gardens, it is a haven of tranquility. Peacocks, hens, dogs and ponies wait to greet you on your garden walk.

POWIS CASTLE, Wales

Powis Castle

IMAGE © NATIONAL TRUST / M. BOLTON WALES

Dating back 300 years, this bright limestone-red castle, owned by the National Trust, has world-class gardens that are steeped in history and feature stunning hillside views across the Severn Valley. Weave your way through richly planted herbaceous borders, enormous yew hedges, an ancient orangery and acres of peaceful woodland.

National Botanic Garden of Wales

National Botanic Garden of Wales

In beautiful Carmarthenshire, Middleton Hall, one of the most splendid mansions in South Wales, is now at the heart of the National Botanic Garden of Wales – a national botanic garden for the 21st century with 400 acres for you to explore. Don't miss the Great Glasshouse and Tropical House, or the British Bird of Prey Centre.

MELLERSTAIN HOUSE, Scotland

Mellerstain House

To this day, Mellerstain is famously celebrated as one of Robert Adam’s finest works and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful houses in the country. Mellerstain has changed very little since the days of Adam and Grisell Baillie, and a Dream Escape private tour is a must. The exquisite collections of furniture, ornaments and paintings by Van Dyck, Ruysdael, Gainsborough, Ramsay and other Old Masters, illustrate the history of Mellerstain and the Baillie and Haddington families through the centuries. Our favourite room though, is the Library, a masterpiece of classical decoration and colour with the most fabulous preserved ceiling and beautifully detailed plasterwork, which incorporates marble busts by Roubiliac. The formal Italianate terraces we enjoy at Mellerstain today were introduced a mere century ago, but they are sympathetic to the original 18th-century layout and the views of the gardens to the lake and the Cheviot hills beyond are breathtaking.

SISSINGHURST, England

Sissinghurst

IMAGE © NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/ANDREW BU

Heralded for its beauty and diversity, the garden at Sissinghurst, is among the most famous gardens in England. It is fair to say, a trip to Kent just wouldn’t be complete without making time to visit. This internationally renowned garden was developed by Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Sir Harold Nicolson, a famous author, around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion.

The site that Sissinghurst Castle Garden sits on was once a Saxon pig farm, it would have been originally called 'Saxenhurst', with 'hurst' woodland.The Tudor buildings were used as a prison for up to 3,000 French sailors who were captured by the British during the Seven Years' War, between 1756 - 1763. The gardens consist of small enclosed compartments, and is vibrant throughout the seasons. Owned by the National Trust, this Grade-I listed historic garden is bursting with floral colour, charm and majesty. From walking through the rose garden to exploring the Moat Walk or enjoying the vibrant purple border, there’s plenty for garden lovers to add to their must-see list.

CAWDOR CASTLE, Scotland

Cawdor Castle

A fairy-tale castle best known for its role in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it has been inhabited by the Cawdor family for over 600 years. Dream Escape travel designers arrange private visits with Lady Cawdor. See the beautiful Tapestry Bedroom, where the Duchess sleeps during the winter; the original 15th-century rectangular tower house, with drawbridge and wooden stairway (that could be hauled up into castle); and three magical nature gardens.

PETWORTH HOUSE, England

Petworth House

IMAGE © NATIONAL TRUST/JOHN MILLER

Inspired by the baroque palaces of Europe and nestled in the South Downs, Petworth House displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust. Visit the state rooms, displayed just as they were when the 3rd Earl of Egremont lived there, like visiting artists such as JMW Turner once did, and enjoy the landscape gardens by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.⬩ SCOTLAND

FLOORS CASTLE, Scotland

Floors Castle

Scotland’s largest inhabited castle, set in the stunning surroundings of the historic Scottish Borders is owned by one of the last 21 remaining ‘inherited Dukes’ in the UK. Originally built by leading architect William Adam in 1721 for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe, the dramatic building of today holds a collection of fine art, porcelain, tapestries, and grand rooms with superb views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills. Enjoy a Dream Escape private visit to the family home and take coffee in the Duke’s private dining room, served by his personal butler. Explore its recently renovated Victorian Kitchen Walled garden, new Peter Rabbit nature trail, sublime millennium gardens, and visit the sun house where, once upon a time, Queen Victoria would take her afternoon tea. Don't miss the Drawing Room, from where you can marvel at the views of the parkland, River Tweed and the site of the old Roxburgh Castle.

DUMFRIES HOUSE, Scotland

Dumfries House

Dumfries House is one of Britain's most beautiful stately homes, and a private Dream Escape tour is a must. Set in 2,000 acres of land, this stunning estate and 18th-century house is a firm favourite with our guests, renowned for its unrivalled collection of original furniture, including Thomas Chippendale bedheads and an exquisite pink Murano glass chandelier in the extraordinarily preserved Dining Room. Saved by the intervention of His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay in 2007, Dumfries House is also regarded highly by the locals; as a deprived area, many young aspiring adults have been given opportunities to work within the house.

Find out more

Rosie Peattie, Head of Guiding, has had the pleasure of visiting each of these houses and gardens over the years."Sharing my passion and love for our historic houses and gardens, whether they are the higher profile or lesser-known ones, definitely transmits to our clients."If you want any more details about private visits to these or any other properties, get in touch with Rosie.

⬩rosie@dreamescape.co.uk

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