Buckinghamshire Historic Houses

Boarstall Tower 

The superb gatehouse is what remains of Boarstall House (demolished 1778). It was built by John de Haudlo in 1312, both as defence for his house and as an expression of his status. Although updated in 1615 for use as a banqueting pavilion or hunting lodge, and to reflect the latest taste, it retained its medieval belfry, crossloops and crenellations. The exterior and many rooms remain virtually unchanged from that time.,

Near Brill, HP18 9UX  Tel: 01844 239339

Chenies Manor House

Built in 1460 by Sir John Cheyne and added to in 1526 by Sir John Russell (Earl of Bedford), the Manor is now the Macleod Matthews family home Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were entertained at the house, which includes a medieval well, dungeon and reputed priest hole. Its beautiful gardens include an extensive Physic Garden and two mazes.

Chenies, WD3 6ER Tel: 01494 762888

Chicheley Hall

An imposing grade I listed house built in 18th century and is set in magnificent landscaped grounds. The House has English sea paintings and furniture. The paintings of two of Sir Francis Burdett’s hunters held by groom waiting with three fox hounds to join the hunt painted by John Fernsley Senior, in 1817 can be seen. Now a first class hotel.

Newport Pagnell, MK16 9JJ Tel: (01234) 391252 Email

Claydon House 

One of England’s most extraordinary houses. In continuous occupation by the Verney family for over 350 years, Claydon was originally a Jacobean manor house, but was remodelled in the 1750s at a time when the craze for chinoiserie was at its height. The result was the remarkable series of rooms, lavishly decorated in intricately carved white woodwork covered with motifs based on Oriental birds, pagodas and summer houses

Middle Claydon nr Buckingham  MK18 2EY Tel: 01296 730349 Email

Cliveden 

A spectacular estate overlooking the River Thames has a series of gardens, each with its own character, featuring topiary, statuary, water gardens, a formal parterre, informal vistas, woodland and riverside walks. The present house, the third on the site, was built by Charles Barry for the Duke of Sutherland in 1851. Once the home of Nancy, Lady Astor, it is now let as an hotel and is open only on certain days.

Cliveden, Taplow,  SL6 OJA  Tel: 0628 668561 Email

Hughenden Manor 

The home of Victorian prime minister and statesman Benjamin Disraeli from 1848 until his death in 1881. Most of his furniture, books and pictures remain in this, his private retreat from the rigours of parliamentary life in London. There are beautiful walks through the surrounding park and woodland, and the garden is a recreation of the colourful design of his wife, Mary AnneThe home of Victorian prime minister and statesman Benjamin Disraeli from 1848 until his death in 1881. Most of his furniture, books and pictures remain in this, his private retreat from the rigours of parliamentary life in London. There are beautiful walks through the surrounding park and woodland, and the garden is a recreation of the colourful design of his wife, Mary Anne

High Wycombe HP14 4LA  Tel: 01494 755573 Fax: 01494 474 284  Email

Long Crendon Courthouse 

15th century building which held manorial courts from reign of Henry V until Victorian times

Long Crendon, Aylesbury, HP18 9AN Tel 01296 3815010

John Milton’s Cottage

Milton’s Cottage is the only extant home of John Milton, the great English poet and parliamentarian, in Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire. It was in this grade 1 listed XVIth century cottage, described by Thomas Ellwood as 'that pretty box in St. Giles, Chalfont', that Milton completed Paradise Lost, and the idea of Paradise Regained was put to him.

Deanway Chalfont St. Giles  HP8 4JH Tel: Tel: 01494 872313   Email

Stowe House & Gardens

One of the foremost neo-classical private houses of the 18th century and set in extensive woods and parkland. The House is a major work of architecture on a palatial scale, containing the work of a number of leading 18^th-century designers including Vanbrugh, Gibbs, Kent and Soane. The House is now a major public school. The Gardens are one of Britain’s most magnificent now in the ownership of the National Trust and covering 250 acres featuring lakes, pasture, wooded valleys and open spaces, adorned with over 30 temples and monuments.

Buckingham, MK18 5EH Tel:01280 818282  Email

Waddesdon Manor

The Rothschild banking dynasty was immensely powerful in 19th century Europe. From roots in the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt, Mayer Amschel’s five sons set up a banking network in the then five major financial capitals of Europe - London, Frankfurt, Paris, Naples and Vienna. The Five Arrows, as they became known, did well, creating vast wealth and establishing themselves at the very peak of European society. The family, renowned for it business acumen was also responsible for the creation of over forty magnificent buildings in Europe. On a hilltop overlooking the Aylesbury Vale, Waddesdon Manor is the last remaining complete example of le style Rothschild.
 
Waddesdon, Nr Aylesbury,  HP18 OJHTel: 01296 653226 Email

West Wycombe Park 

This Palladian house was built in the early part of the 18th Century by Sir Francis Dashwood the Premier Baronet of Great Britain. The Dashwood family still live in the mansion, it is now the home of Sir Edward Dashwood. 
 
The house is one of the best examples of Palladian architecture in Europe and is considered by many to be the best example in England, housing fine painted ceilings, pictures, furniture and sculpture. There is also Rococo landscape gardens with statues, grottoes and ornamental lake

West Wycombe  HP14 3AJ  Tel: 01494 513569   Email