British Pullman

Birthplace of Winston Churchill, UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2,000 acres of Capability Brown-designed gardens, a gargantuan palace dating back to the early 18th-century – Blenheim is almost bewilderingly rich in heritage.

This Baroque beauty was built as a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from Queen Anne and a grateful nation in thanks for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August 1704. Passed on down through the generations, it’s now home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family.

The Palace holds spectacular collections of art, furniture and porcelain, housed in ornate, grand state rooms. Alongside, there’s a new, interactive exhibition dedicated to Winston Churchill – and you can also see the tiny room where he was born.

There are several themed tours on offer – of the Marlborough’s private apartments, of the ‘downstairs’ where the servants worked (ala Downtown Abbey), buggy tours of the formal gardens, and of the stables – offering a deeper insight into life here in the 18th and 19th centuries.

One of England’s most imposing stately homes, Chatsworth is a vast estate, with the main house dating back to the late 17th century. Owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and passed down through sixteen generations of the Cavendish family, many rooms in the house are open to visitors.

The estate house is surrounded by a 1,000-acre park that includes more than 100 acres of landscaped garden with a huge maze, rockery and kitchen garden – and five miles of wonderful walks. Kids will love the working farm, with the chance to get up close with some of the smaller animals, and the adventure playground.

Perhaps best known as the setting for the hugely popular drama series Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle sits amidst 1,000 acres of greenery and is a paragon of aristocratic heritage. This marvel of Victorian architecture boasts majestic staterooms complete with baroque ceilings, Italian embroideries and an exhibition of Egyptian antiquities.

The castle’s imposing beauty is best viewed from the glorious parkland that surrounds it, dotted with fruit-laden trees, exotic topiary and six 18th century follies.

This beautiful 240-acre garden, operated by the Royal Horticultraul Society, is one of Britain’s best. There are a range of landscapes, from tranquil woodland walks to vibrant floral displays, as well as a range of themed gardens and collections, including the Glasshouse, Rock Garden, and Alpine Meadow.

Country house hotel, temple of gastronomy and personal vision of celebrity chef Raymond Blanc: the chance to cook in the hallowed kitchens of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is one of the UK’s premier culinary experiences.

Classes, which range from half-day to residential courses spanning several days, take in everything from baking and confectionery to vegetarian food or blanc vite – impressive dishes that take minimal time to prepare.

Perhaps a little surprisingly for such an upscale establishment, the accent is on fun as well as learning but it’s still not cheap – this is, after all, the crème de la crème of cooking classes.