Top 20 Downton Abbey breaks

Downton Abbey

The fabulous Downton Abbey is back on our TV screens tomorrow night. If you fancy tasting the life of Lady Cora and Earl Grantham, why not take a break in a stately home or manor house? Your-Hols.com has chosen 20 properties that even the Crawley clan wouldn’t mind bedding down in…

Crathorne Hall Hotel, Yorkshire: On the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, Crathorne Hall is the former home of the Dugdale family who made their money in the Lancashire cotton trade. They’d get along with the Crawleys as they bought it originally for partridge shooting and trout fishing and guests included royalty, politicians and socialites. Set in 15 acres of private grounds and offering 37 individually-styled bedrooms. Lordin’ it: B&B and three-course dinner with a glass of wine costs £159 per room per night.

See www.handpickedhotels.co.uk

Abbey Dore Court, Hertfordshire: This early Victorian mansion has been a star of the small screen too – Channel 4’s Country House Rescue. The house’s original features have been restored to their former glory, from ‘upstairs’ bling including decorative plaster ceilings and elegant chandeliers to the ‘downstairs’ kitchen with its plate rack and quarry-tiled floor. It now sleeps up to 22 people in nine individually-styled bedrooms, including a four-poster. Lordin’ it: Three-night weekend break from £1,579.

See www.SykesCottages.co.uk

Weston Park

Weston Park, Shropshire (above): In 1878, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli wrote: “You will find Weston beautiful. I marvel whether I shall ever see the like of it again! It is a place that always pleased me.” The grounds of Weston Park are that bit special. They were designed by English landscape architect Capability Brown and he had 1,000 acres to play with. The 17th century former home of the Earls of Bradford has 28 bedrooms and, although mostly hired out for exclusive use, you can book an autumn weekend or stay for Christmas. You’ll be served afternoon tea by the Head Butler, enjoy a Downton-style five-course dinner and get to go foraging for mushrooms before lunch in the Victorian Orangery. Lordin’ it: The full-board Autumn Flavours Weekend on November 9 and 10 costs from £350 per couple.

See www.weston-park.com

Castle in Teignmouth: This listed castle folly is said to be styled on Balmoral and its most famous house guest was actress Vivien Leigh! Outstanding sea and estuary views from every window. A short walk from Teignmouth town centre and sea front and easy driving access to Dawlish, Shaldon, Torquay, Dartmoor and Exeter plus many other south Devon attractions. The property has plenty of space with five large bedrooms, three double and two twin beds. Lordin’ it: A week’s self-catering stay from £700.

See www.ownersdirect.co.uk

Stonefield Castle

Stonefield Castle, Scotland (above): With superb views over Loch Fyne, the setting doesn’t get much better than this. Baronial Stonefield Castle, once home to the Campbell family, stands in 60 acres of woodland and gardens above the idyllic fishing village of Tarbert. If driving from Glasgow the scenery is spectacular, winding your way around Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne. The castle has 32 en-suite bedrooms with an AA Rosette-winning restaurant where you can tuck into scallops and scotch eggs and Tarbert Bouillabaisse. The whole place comes alive at Hogmanay. Lordin’ it: Standard Double Room, with dinner and B&B from £160 a night.

See with www.bespokehotels.com/stonefieldcastle

Little Park House, West Berkshire & Newbury: This 10-bedroom country house has a rich history, and amongst others, was formerly the home of Lady Diana Spencer’s aunt and, for a time, the King of Norway. It was completely renovated and modernised in 2002 and with a large heated private pool, terraced lawns and with plenty of walks in the surrounding countryside it is a stunning location for a family gathering or celebratory weekend. The Grand Hall, at the heart of the house, is ideal for celebrations, comfortably seating up to 50 guests and caterers can be recommended. Lordin’ it: Night’s rental from £1,500.

See www.homeaway.co.uk

Cannizaro House, Wimbledon: Prime Ministers, Lord Tennyson, Henry James and Oscar Wilde have all slept at Wimbledon’s iconic Cannizaro House. From the moment you pull into the long and winding driveway, you are transported into an earlier, golden age of England. The newly refurbished 46 rooms and bathrooms have all been individually and artfully designed, in keeping with the look and feel of the Grade II listed building on 34 acres of parkland. Relax in rooms with four-poster beds, goose down pillows, silk wallpapers and deep sunken bathtubs. Lordin’ it: Double room with breakfast from £195 a night.

See www.cannizarohouse.com

Ludbrook Manor

Ludbrook Manor, Devon (above): A private country retreat on the edge of Dartmoor. Providing a boutique hotel feel, yet with all the advantages of going self-catered, this impressive, recently renovated home for 18 dates back to the 9th century. It has its own folly tower, stained glass windows and mosaic crest belonging to The Kelly Clan. Guests can choose from clay shooting, wild game days, horse riding trails, hawking experiences, lake fishing and gastronomic adventures, with prices starting from £49 per person. Multi-day country pursuits packages cost from £99 per person. Lordin’ it: Short breaks from £1,995, just under £37 per person per night. Week breaks cost £2,835 working out at under £23 per person per night.

See www.bluechipholidays.co.uk

Rufford Park Lodge, Nottinghamshire: Approached by a private drive, this idyllic Grade II listed converted hunting lodge is situated in what used to be the grounds of Rufford Abbey and boasts open farmland views. The property mixes original features with all the facilities guests can expect from a holiday cottage including a six to seven person hydrotherapy hot tub in the secluded private courtyard. Within five miles there are many visitor attractions including Go Ape, Adrenalin Jungle, Sherwood Pines, quad biking, go-karting, and Wheelgate Theme Park. Lordin’ it: A seven-night stay, sleeping 10 and two pets, starts from £1,000.

See www.hoseasons.co.uk

Stapleford Park, Leicestershire: Here you can try all the pursuits of a Lord and Lady – falconry with Bernard, the resident European eagle owl, or Boo, the barn owl. Alternatively, archery, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding can be arranged. The hotel is a magnificent 17th century stately home – originally the seat of the Sherard family, later the Earls of Harborough and, from 1894, of Baron Gretton. There’s even a church, St Mary Magdalene’s in the 500 acres of grounds. There are 55 individually-designed bedrooms drawing on designs from Mulberry and David Hicks. Lordin’ it: B&B, use of the leisure/spa facilities, morning newspaper and free Wi-Fi from £180 per room.

See www.prideofbritainhotels.com

Countess of Grantham

Huntsham Court, Exmoor: “What is a weekend?” enquired the Dowager Countess of Grantham (above) on Downtown Abbey. A weekend, it could be argued, is nothing without Huntsham Court, the privately-owned, exclusive-hire baronial manor house near Exmoor in Devon that caters for up to 72 overnight guests. Fit for a Dowager – and less grand, but no less discerning individuals and families: think ‘Downton Unstuffed’ just 12 miles from the M5 – Huntsham Court is the quintessential English country retreat. Set in five-and-a-half acres of immaculate grounds that boast sweeping views of the 5,000 acre Huntsham Estate and the surrounding Devonshire countryside, 30-bedroom Huntsham Court was built in 1869 and fully restored and refurbished in 2012. There is the option to hire 19, 27 or all 30. Lordin’ it:  Based on exclusive hire of the house with 19 bedrooms, prices start from £164 per person based on 44 adults hiring the property exclusively for two nights mid-week (£82pppn), double occupancy per bedroom.  Total cost £7,200.

See www.huntshamcourt.co.uk

Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire: You can’t get much more stately or portly than Henry VIII who once owned this Tudor castle, near Bristol. Steeped in more than 500 years of history (approximately 480 years more than your average Travelodge), it’s the perfect combination of museum trip and luxury. The hotel boasts 27 bedchambers and is surrounded by 15 acres of vineyards (which still produce Thornbury Castle wine), and ancient yew-hedged gardens. In most rooms you’ll find a roaring fire, four-poster bed, and ornate carved ceilings. The real draw here is the chance to spend a night in the Duke’s Bedchamber, where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once slept! Lordin’ it: Offer price for two nights B&B in a Classic bedchamber, including one three-course a la carte dinner, costs from £299 per room. B&B in The Duke’s bedchamber from £390 a night.

See www.thornburycastle.co.uk

Portland House, Derbyshire: Ring in the New Year or celebrate a special birthday or anniversary with the Downton Abbey-esque servant’s bells at Portland House c1870. Historically noted as having the “most complete location” on the edge of the famous tourist town of Matlock Bath, it offers contemporary comforts with luxurious accommodation for 12 to 24 guests. Get the real Downtown experience and book a butler! A range of country pursuits can also be arranged. Enjoy a walk from the doorstep in to the dramatic gorge of the Derwent River – the “little Switzerland of England”. Attractions such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and even Alton Towers are nearby, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning tea rooms and cosy country pubs. Lordin’ it: A week’s costs from £2,386 for up to 24 guests.

See www.premiercottages.co.uk

Painswick Court

Painswick Court, Gloucestershire (above): Home to King Charles I during the Siege of Gloucester in 1643, this home is a superb example of stately English style and picturesque beyond belief. Justly nicknamed ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’, it lies in the historic town of Painswick and offers a peerless country retreat experience. Seven beautifully furnished rooms sleep 14 guests in splendour and comfort, whilst a fully equipped gym, vaulted games room with snooker table, and separate spa with sauna furnish plenty of entertainment opportunities. Lovely gardens surround the house featuring an attractive deck with a large fire pit, a BBQ area and an outdoor Jacuzzi. Lordin’ it: One week’s rental costs from £920 per person per week based on 14 guests sharing. B&B from £145 per room based on two adults sharing (minimum stay 2 nights).

See www.akvillas.com

Bodelwyddan Castle, North Wales: This Grade II listed Victorian folly has paintings to rival Downton! It’s home to the National Portrait Gallery’s Victorian Collection. Set in 200 acres surrounded by the Clwydian Mountains, it is just 20 minutes from the seaside town of Llandudno and an hour from Snowdonia. And if you want to dance like Lady Mary, the Warner hotel has a daytime activity Do You Warner Dance? Gentlemanly pursuits such as archery, fencing and wine-tasting too! Lordin’ it: Three-night half-board weekend break from October 4, from £299 per person.

See www.warnerhotels.co.uk

Askham Hall Cumbria

Askham Hall, Cumbria (above): Be among the first guests to stay at Askham Hall – originally a peel tower dating back to the late 1200s when the Picts and Scots were invading northern England – which opens as a luxury hotel on September 27. Just like in Downton, there are hidden staircases, 8ft thick walls, roaring log fires and fabulous food Mr Carson and Mrs Patmore would be proud of. Your meals will be the work of Steven Doherty, former head chef at La Gavroche and Richard Swale from the world’s best restaurant NOMA. The 26-bedroom luxurious hall overlooks the River Lowther and there’s not another house in sight. Lordin’ it: Double rooms from £165 a night including breakfast.

See www.askhamhall.co.uk

Ynshir hall

Ynyshir Hall, Wales (above): Celebs love this place including Richard Gere, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. A spectacular position in the shadow of the Cambrian mountains, it is an idyllic location in which to sample some sublime Michelin starred food. This white 10-bedroom manor house used to belong to Queen Victoria, who left her imprint on the décor and gardens, and loved this part of the kingdom because of the abundance of birds flying in from the nearby estuary and beaches. One of Britain’s finest bird reserves adjoins the grounds. Activities include clay shooting, rally driving, falconry, golf, horse riding, and painting. Lordin it: A three-night break starts from £495 per person on a bed, breakfast and dinner basis, based on two sharing.

See www.ynyshirhall.co.uk

Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire: Once the home of Henry VIII’s last and luckiest wife, Katherine Parr, this medieval stronghold is steeped in history. Stay in one of 11 self-catering properties dotted around the grounds, from a converted paper mill with exposed stone and original beams to a former engine room. Wander around the award-winning gardens such as Queens’ – renowned for its roses – and see Katherine Parr’s famous love letter to Sir Thomas Seymour and other memorabilia in the exhibitions. Sudeley Castle Country Cottages are located on the edge of the estate, midway between the Castle and the historic town of Winchcombe. This small attractive complex of Cotswold stone cottages is set around a central courtyard with landscaped gardens and ample parking. Lordin’ it: Cottages available from £350 a week.

See www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/cottages

Hartwell House

Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire (above): Once home to Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France, and a training ground for British and American forces during the Second World War, Hartwell House in the Vale of Aylesbury is steeped in history. The Grade I listed 17th century stately home is set in 90 acres of gardens adorned with historic statues. There are 30 rooms furnished with antiques and paintings and a further 16 at Hartwell Court, originally 18th-century coach houses. Lordin’ it: B&B with use of the spa from £85 per person.

See www.prideofbritainhotels.com

ellenborough park

Ellenborough Park, Cotswolds (above): Desperate to get behind-the-scenes of Downton – and got a healthy budget? If you can’t wait for Highclere Castle, where the series is filmed, to open for a few days in December, book into 16th century Ellenborough Park. To celebrate the return of the TV series, Ellenborough has teamed up with Highclere to give guests private access to the Crawley family’s state rooms and bedrooms on September 30 or October 7. You can also go clay pigeon shooting, learn how to play polo, hike or ride (Dubarry boots and Barbour jackets are on hand) through the scenic Cotswolds hills and eat in the 3AA rosette restaurant. Oh, and there are views of Cheltenham Racecourse. Lordin’ it: Night’s stay in a Classic or Luxury room at Ellenborough Park, meals and use of the spa and leisure facilities and tours of Highclere Castle and Ditchley Park costs from £1,350 per person. Normal B&B from £230 a night for two people.

See www.mantiscollection.com