jessicaeaglin

We are looking at putting together a vacation to England but would like to spend the majority of the time getting the country estate life experience. Where should we stay? I'm sure we will visit London for a few days but after that we'd like to visit historical homes and see places we've read about in literature. What would you recommend as far as 1) what are the absolute must see places in and around London from a historical POV... and 2) which country area would you stay in, where, and why? We'd love a bed and breakfast with full service for meals but still a decent commute to some historical landmarks and lush gardens... Thoughts?

MmePerdu

- Will you have a car?

- Please define "country estate life experience". I've never heard that phrase before.

- "...absolute must see places in and around London from a historical POV..." Too many to name, must narrow it down in some way. Will this be a part of "London for a few days"?

- Does the "full service for meals" include all meals or just breakfast? Virtually all B&Bs serve breakfast. One generally goes out for lunch & dinner. Country house hotels have restaurants for meals. Do you want a B&B hotel or a home with 2 or 3 rooms or possibly a country house hotel?

That's a start.

ira

H J,

What's your budget for accommodations?

bilboburgler

I'd look at these guys, http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/ most do not have staff, but often that can be booked as well or can be found in nearby towns, pubs etc

nytraveler

Um. B&Bs are usually very small and provide breakfasts - but rarely any other meal.

It sounds like you want to stay in a manor house hotel (more upscale to very big $) if you want all meals served. Or are you looking for a real estate that provides opportunities for riding, fishing, etc?

As for historic sights - you will fall over one every time you turn around - so it would help to know what you are looking for:

The most famous
The oldest
The largest
The most well-preserved
Those associated with a certain period in history or a certain dynasty or monarch

(I know when the Tudors series was on TV here everyone was mad to go to Hampton Court - a good choice under any circumstance - but these were people that would never have heard of it otherwise - the 2 or 3 day people)

ElendilPickle

You mentioned places you've read about in literature. Do you have any particular authors in mind? For example, we visited Oxford, Bath, Winchester, Chawton, and Greenwich based on my interests in Tolkien, Lewis, Austen, and Patrick O'Brian.

Lee Ann

annhig

There are country house hotels in most parts of the UK which will feed and water you copiously, often have some sort of activities as well, and are near to historical sights.

just let us know where you want to go, and your budget!

annhig

oh, yes, and When? the time of year you are travelling might be quite important.

sofarsogood

Two starting points for historical buildings/gardens are

English Heritage http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

and the National Trust http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/places/

All the history until you could ever want, and then some…

Dukey1

Wanna go way upscale?

http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/hotel...l-history.aspx

annhig

or here:

http://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/

MmePerdu

There are also accommodations to rent on National Trust properties which may fulfill some of the criteria: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/

...if we only knew what they were.