Spent today in Harlaxton (Lincs) recording fragments of mediaeval and early modern stonework in the grounds of this amazing house. It was built in the 1930s, almost entirely from material salvaged from the manor house which was demolished in 1857.

Yesterday's star find. I'm 99% certain that this architectural fragment is the keystone from the late sixteenth to early seventeenth century principal doorway to Harlaxton Manor (Lincs). The building was demolished in 1857. The stone now lies in a garden on the site of the house.

Cover of book ‘THIS PRINCELY HABITATION’ THE HAFOD ESTATE UNDER THE 4TH DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, 1832–1846: image is Hafod House with woods and mountains in background

Back cover of book on the Hafod estate. Text: Henry Pelham Fiennes Pelham Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle (1785–1851), of Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, bought the Hafod estate in Ceredigion in 1832. Hafod had achieved its fame under the Welsh antiquarian and bibliophile Thomas Johnes (1748–1816), who developed its landscape to picturesque principles and made it a seat of private learning. Newcastle’s ownership of Hafod from 1832 1846, and his delight in its possibilities, is recorded in the extensive personal diaries which he maintained during the last three decades of his life. This edition publishes, for the first time, all the entries relating to Newcastle’s ownership of Hafod and his comments on the people and places that he encountered on his wider travels in Wales. The diaries offer fascinating insights into Newcastle’s motivations for purchasing and improving Hafod, his own devotion to picturesque principles and his attempts to make the estate well-managed and financially viable. Newcastle considered himself to be an adopted Welshman and immersed himself in aspects of Welsh life and culture at a time when the area was being opened to tourists. He also gave encouragement to these efforts, both through investing in new hotel facilities at Devil’s Bridge and by actively promoting improvements at Aberystwyth, particularly its harbour facilities and urban infrastructure. ... Dr Richard A Gaunt is Associate Professor in British History at the University of Nottingham where he has worked since 2000. A historian of British politics, culture and society in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century, he has published widely on the politics and personalities of the period, including three related volumes of Newcastle’s diaries. Dr Gaunt is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Society of Antiquaries of London and is currently the co-editor of the journal Parliamentary History and of the Royal Historical Society’s Camden Series.

Really looking forward to launching this - Aberystwyth Arts Centre at 2pm on Saturday 6 June. Come and learn more about the history of this famous Picturesque landscaped estate.

Hidden Heritage History Podcast · Updated weekly · Hosted by Violet Manners — Viscountess Garnock (née Lady Violet Manners) — this series explores the lives of those shaped, influenced or quietly drawn towards herita...

It is my huge pleasure to be on Violet Manners’ Hidden Heritage podcast this week talking about the aristocracy and country houses and my book and the last 13 years of writing about this stuff!! It’s really good, listen!
podcasts.apple.com/si/podcast/h...

Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Library was the filming location earlier this month for King Charles’s broadcast tomorrow honoring Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 100th birthday.

Ardbraccan House, Co Meath, sold asking €10m with 250 acres by American Charles E Noell III and his partner interior designer Serena Williams‑Ellis, purchased 2013 €5m. 80 lots of contents sold by Christie's online 1-15 April
www.christies.com/en/stories/s...
onlineonly.christies.com/s/collection...

An idyllic old rectory in Wiltshire that's for sale for the first time in over 60 years The current owners are saying goodbye having owned the place since the 1960s; and their predecessors had it in their hands from the time it was built three centuries ago.

An idyllic old rectory in Wiltshire that's for sale for the first time in over 60 years www.countrylife.co.uk/property/sou...

Constantly an Object of Contention ‘The castle of Ballintober, the chief seat of the O’Conors, in which Felim [Felim Geancach O’Connor King of Connaught, 1406–1474] spent most of his time, deserves more than a passing notice. …

theirishaesthete.com/2026/04/20/b...

One of Ireland's prettiest villages, transformed by a billionaire who made it his labour of love, and now the entire place is up for sale The Village at Lyons was crumbling to pieces when Tony Ryan, founder of Ryanair, saved it — and it's gone on to thrive. Now, the next chapter of its 300-year history is set to begin.

One of Ireland's prettiest villages, transformed by a billionaire who made it his labour of love,and now the entire place is up for sale www.countrylife.co.uk/property/ove...

The theatrical-inspired London hotel suite that I would break a leg to stay in again The Oliver Messel Terrace Suite at The Dorchester was originally dreamt up by the eponymous stage designer. Lotte Brundle stays the night.

The theatrical-inspired London hotel suite that I would break a leg to stay in again www.countrylife.co.uk/travel/place...

Mount Congreve: The exquisite Irish garden on an unimaginable scale Even superlatives are dwarfed by the scale and quality of the garden of Mount Congreve, in Co Waterford, Ireland. Charles Quest-Ritson traces its story. Photographs by Jonathan Hession.

Mount Congreve: The exquisite Irish garden on an unimaginable scale www.countrylife.co.uk/gardens-inte...

The keys to the kingdom The latest Feature,/features,,features, breaking news, comment, reviews and features from the experts at Country Life

The keys to the kingdom www.countrylife.co.uk/travel/the-k...

Wollaton Hall aerial view - one of England’s finest Elizabethan prodigy houses, built 1580–1588 for Sir Francis Willoughby & designed by architect Robert Smythson. Now a museum, it’s famed for its Renaissance design & as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises #WollatonHall #aerial

Aerial view of Wollaton Hall & Wollaton Park, incl Wollaton Park Golf Club.. Elizabethan hall built 1580–1588 for Sir Francis Willoughby, designed by Robert Smythson. The 500-acre deer park was later landscaped in the 18th century & acquired by Nottingham City Council in 1925 #WollatonHall #aerial

An exquisite home just outside Bath with a history that touches on Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Jack the Ripper and the invention of the flushing loo Batheaston House's beauty is only surpassed by its fascinating history.

An exquisite home just outside Bath with a history that touches on Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Jack the Ripper and the invention of the flushing loo www.countrylife.co.uk/property/sou...

In the first of a two-part webinar, Curt DiCamillo will take us on a grand tour of Britain’s most glorious classical style houses and their luscious interiors.
www.americanancestors.org/events/class...

The Bannerman's Somerset home is the best of both worlds Are chilly drafts and tepid baths a price to be paid for the pleasures of living in an old house? Not at Julian and Isabel Bannerman's toasty Somerset home.

The Bannerman's Somerset home is the best of both worlds www.countrylife.co.uk/gardens-inte...

One of Primrose Hill’s best houses is on sale for £6.35 million A sensitively upgraded home with original cornicing and an indoor trellis? Will Hosie is intrigued.

One of Primrose Hill’s best houses is on sale for £6.35 million www.countrylife.co.uk/property/lon...

‘My father put Britain’s stately homes on the map – now our future is far from certain’ Great Estates: ‘One should always have a plan,’ says Beaulieu custodian Lord Montagu

What's next for Beaulieu, one of the founding estates of the stately homes industry? This week's Great Estates – on trusts, titles and being scions of the Dukes of Buccleuch with Lord Montagu, whose very famous father led the charge in more ways than one
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/da4bf84...

A house lost, a landscape reborn: The story of Worsley New Hall The property now known as RHS Bridgewater conceals a fascinating history.

A house lost, a landscape reborn: The story of Worsley New Hall www.countrylife.co.uk/architecture...

On 15 April, our latest project starts, the co-funding of an engineering survey of the great gatehouse of the Edwardian castle of Ruthin. A major castle now ruined and then had a C19 mansion and gardens built on it there's still medieval remains read more here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/04...

Having No Equal in the Three Kingdoms Visiting Kilkenny Castle in 1699, English bookseller John Dunton enthused over the building’s gallery, writing that ‘for length, variety of gilded chairs, and the curious pictures that adorn it, ha…

theirishaesthete.com/2026/04/13/k...

Victoria and Albert at Burghley House: The royal visit that set the mould, and helped stave off revolution In November 1844, Queen Victoria visited Burghley House in Lincolnshire as part of a programme of travel aimed to introduce her subjects to Prince Albert. John Martin Robinson describes the event.

Victoria and Albert at Burghley House: The royal visit that set the mould, and helped stave off revolution www.countrylife.co.uk/architecture...

The Temple of the Four Winds at @castlehowardestate.bsky.social is a striking 18th-century garden building by Sir John Vanbrugh, blending classical design with dramatic landscape setting. A key moment on Terrace Walk and a standout example of Baroque garden architecture.

An impeccably restored country house with prime views over Constable country Polstead Hall has been sensitively restored by its current owners, and now makes an elegant family home in the heartlands of East Anglia.

An impeccably restored country house with prime views over Constable country www.countrylife.co.uk/property/eas...

How retrofitting your country house could save you more than £50,000 a year — even if it’s listed Making historic homes warmer and more energy-efficient to run has its challenges, but the emergence of super-efficient heat pumps has opened up exciting opportunities.

How retrofitting your country house could save you more than £50,000 a year — even if it’s listed www.countrylife.co.uk/property/how...

A Georgian manor in the Irish countryside that has been gently eased into the present Designer Róisín Lafferty has sensitively restored a cherished family home outside Dublin, balancing memory, materiality and modern comfort, while keeping its sense of history intact

Colt Manor, a Georgian house outside Dublin.
www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/rois...

Moreton House, Dorset, Grade I built 1745 for James Frampton, family still here after 700 years, and at-risk Frampton Obelisk built 1786 in memory of James.
thefollyflaneuse.com/the-frampton...
manorhousemoreton.co.uk (dower house)
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/811560
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3385686

The world has gone Lilliputian: The 21st-century renaissance of the dolls' house A renewed interest in opulent dolls' houses is allowing artisans to indulge their wilder miniature flights of fancy.

The world has gone Lilliputian: The 21st-century renaissance of the dolls' house www.countrylife.co.uk/culture/art-...

You beat to the punch Charles Quest-Ritson in Country Life magazine's 8 April 2026 issue.
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