John Shakespeare's world

Houses

Here are some of the finest of the hundreds of great houses that England has to offer - from splendid stone-built manors, to atmospheric castles, and black-and-white timber-frame houses. This is the world as the Shakespeares knew it.

An oblique view of the north front of the abbey, with the tower rising up in the middle.
©NTPL/ Andrew Butler

Buckland Abbey, Devon

The home of Sir Francis Drake. He bought it in 1580 from that other seafaring hero Sir Richard Grenville. The price: £3,400. In modern money that would be about £2million ($3million). The house has exhibition galleries – and treasures include Drake’s Drum. It is said it will sound when England is in danger, to summon Drake from beyond the grave.

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The kitchen at Canons Ashby detailing the stone sink, leaded windows and the servant bells.
©NTPL/ Andreas von Einsiedel

Canons Ashby House, Northamptonshire

An Elizabeth manor house full of romance. Splendid interiors, including the stone-floor kitchen and dairy. Superb plasterwork.

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Staircase to upper floors at Hardwick Hall.
©NTPL/ Nick Guttridge

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

Bess of Hardwick’s masterpiece, built in the last years of Elizabeth’s long reign. A must-see for all who love the late Elizabethan era. It still has most of its original furnishings.  The architect was Thomas Smythson, who was also responsible for Longleat and Wollaton Hall.

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Knole with the deer park in the foreground.
©NTPL/ John Miller

Knole, Kent

Late medieval Archbishop’s Palace. Henry VIII liked it so much he forced Thomas Cranmer to give it to him. It has been rebuilt at various times but contains a wealth of  furnishings and has fine rooms.

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The outside of the hall, a black and white timber-framed structure.©NTPL/ Rupert Truman

Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire

Fabulous timbered property. Little Moreton Hall was built over a period of more than a hundred years between the fifteenth and early seventeenth century. It has a moat and cobbled courtyard.

A view along the uneven wooden floor. Note the heavy wooden beams in the roof of the spectacular long gallery.
©NTPL/ Andreas von Einsiedel

Inside the hall, you will find wonderful panelling and exposed timbers.

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The shell of Lyveden New Bield.
©NTPL/Paul Harris

Lyveden New Bield, Northamptonshire

The structure was started in 1594 as a garden lodge but remained uncompleted on the death of its owner Sir Thomas Tresham in 1605. The building is two storeys high and built in the shape of a cross, with details and decoration typical of Elizabethan symbolism and Catholicism.

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The long drive towards the west front with projecting bay and porch.
© NTPL/ Stuart Cox

Montacute House, Somerset

A magnificent late 16th century house, built of honey-coloured Ham Hill stone for Sir Edward Phelips.  It has elegant chimneys, carved parapets and heraldic glass. In the Long Gallery – the longest of its kind in Europe – visitors can presently see more than 50 Tudor portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection

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The east front of the house.
©NTPL/ Matthew Antrobus

Newark Park, Gloucestershire

An atmospheric house originally built as a Tudor hunting lodge in about 1550, but later converted into a family home.

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The north-west corner of Oxburgh Hall from across the moat. The towers of the magnificent gatehouse rise up from the water beside the bridge.
©NTPL/ Matthew Antrobus

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Home of the Bedingfield family since 1482,  visitors can step through the Tudor gatehouse into the dangerous world of Elizabethan politics, complete with priest hole. The moated house contains hangings embroidered by Mary, Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick

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Picture shows: The north front of the hall.
©NTPL/ Andrew Butler

Speke Hall, Merseyside

Superb Tudor house with rich interiors. Renowned for its black and white timberwork and plaster ceilings. The house was built during the late fifteenth-century to the early seventeenth century.

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Exterior of the house with modern topiary
©NTPL

Westwood Manor, Wiltshire

A squire’s stone-built house dating from the 15th century. It has fine Gothic windows and plasterwork, with exceptional period furniture, tapestries and stringed musical instruments.

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For more information, opening times and admission prices of all the properties shown here, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Some properties close at certain times of year, so do check before travelling to see them.

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