- Heritage

Cartmel Racecourse

Against the backdrop of the beautiful English Lake District, it is possible to sample national hunt racing in its most original format…

Lumley Castle

1388 Lumley Castle takes its name from the man who was behind its creation, Sir Ralph Lumley. Ralph Lumley was a well-known figure at the time, a popular soldier, renowned for his bravery in battles. He played a key role in the defence of Berwick-on-Tweed in 1388 and in the same year led the attack at the Battle of Otterburn…

Headlam Hall

In the 16th Century the Headlam estate came into the possession of the Birkbeck family, originally of Hornby in Cumberland, through the marriage of Thomas Birkbeck into the Lancaster family of Stockbridge, Westmorland. The second son of Thomas, Henry “of Headlam” soon inherited the new family estate. He married Anne, daughter of Henry Brackenbury of Selaby, and the two of them were responsible for the construction of Headlam Hall at the turn of 17th Century. As a gift to his wife, Henry had an elaborate oak fireplace installed in the main hall with the Birkbeck coat of arms displayed in the centre of the mantle. This feature still stands in pride of place to this very day…

Wedderburn Castle

Wedderburn Castle was designed and constructed 1771 – 5 by the famous architect brothers Robert Adam and James Adam, with the work superintendent being James Nisbet, for Patrick Home of Billie, who had already completed Paxton House (using James Adam and Nisbet, with Robert Adam doing the interiors c. 1773). Battlemented three-storey elevations in the typical Adam Castle style, the apparent symmetry conceals a rectangular courtyard, originally filled by the 17th century (or earlier) tower house, also known as Wedderburn castle, of which only a heraldic panel remains. It was demolished in the early 19th century leaving the courtyard, accessed through an archway at the back…

Gretna Hall Hotel

Gretna Green, just one mile over the Scottish border, has for 250 years been associated with clandestine marriages although now it is one of the world’s most popular…

Glenapp Castle

Glenapp Castle was built in 1870 - a strikingly beautiful example of the Scottish Baronial style of architecture…

Shieldhill Castle

Prior to becoming a hotel in 1959, Shieldhill Castle was the seat of the Chancellor family for over 750 years. The Chancellors are recorded as one of the oldest families in the area, having come from France at the time of the Norman Conquests, along with the Somervilles of Carnwath, with whom there are long standing connections…

Mellington Hall Hotel

Mellington Hall Hotel is one of those hidden gems where every aspect will impress the most discerning visitor from arrival to a reluctant departure…

Slebech Park

Slebech Park is part of a family estate set at the heart of the Pembrokeshire peninsular in West Wales. The facilities at Slebech Park revolve round the 18th Century Grade II Listed coach house, once the centre of a traditional agricultural estate. The Coach House commands a stunning position on the shores of the upper reaches of the Daucleddau Estuary one of Europe’s largest natural harbours…

Elizabeth Castle

Built on a rocky islet in St Aubin’s Bay, Elizabeth Castle defended Jersey for more than 300 years. The castle is accessible at low tide by foot or the castle ferry which will transport you across the bay to and from the castle…