Oxfordshire

Located in the Oxfordshire countryside near Woodstock, Blenheim Palace is one of England's most impressive stately homes and the only non-royal residence to actually be called a palace. It was built in the early 1700s as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, after his win at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in a lavish English Baroque style, the palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Inside, grand state rooms are filled with stunning tapestries and art, and there is a dedicated exhibition on Churchill's life. The surrounding estate, landscaped by Capability Brown, features over two thousand acres of lakes and gardens, including a beautiful rose garden and water terrace. With a miniature railway and a maze, it's the perfect spot for a full day trip.

Tucked away in a fold of the Chiltern Hills just north of Henley-on-Thames, Stonor Park has been home to the Stonor family for over 850 years, making it one of the longest-running family residences in England. The house is a graceful mix of medieval, Tudor, and Georgian styles, with its warm brick exterior hiding much older foundations and a private chapel that has remained Catholic for centuries.

Stonor is a landmark of English Catholic history, having served as a sanctuary during the persecutions of Elizabeth I. In 1581, the Jesuit martyr Edmund Campion hid here, secretly printing his famous "Ten Reasons" pamphlet in the attic before he was caught and executed. Today, visitors can wander through rooms filled with family portraits and religious artifacts, discover the house's secret chambers, and explore the deer park, gardens, and an ancient stone circle nestled in the woods.