The Peak District contains some of the most notable and historic houses in the country, from outstanding stately homes to small character cottages, all containing a wealth of history or individually important heritage.
With an extensive register of ‘listed’ buildings, the historic houses of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and South Yorkshire offer remarkable architectural features and a stunning appreciation of individual design and craftsmanship. Whilst many are owned and occupied for private residential use, there are still a treasury of historic houses and gardens that are open to the public offering an insight to the building skills and décor of a time gone by as well as the chance to have a peep through the keyhole!
Hand in hand with historic houses is the opportunity to visit open gardens. Often limited to just a few days of opening hours intended to generate income for charities or run as a fund-raising event, semi-professional and amateur gardeners show off their green-fingered skills in a multi-coloured floral display of spring or summer blooms.
Whilst owning a historic house is more often than not a ‘daydream desire’ of a ‘lottery win wish’ for most people, there is something rather fascinating about a short tour into the realms of how the other half lives! Savour and appreciate a passing visit without the burden of a hefty mortgage and massive overheads. Wander past the wisteria, trot through the topiary maze, gaze into the gastronomic greenhouses and dare to step onto the manicured lawns of an open garden without having to pick up a trowel or stoop for hours behind a lawnmower!
The historic houses and open gardens of the Peak District are a perfect way to enjoy quality time in a picture postcard setting which will educate and inspire you to return home with ideas for your own home and a memory card full of snapshots!