IF manicured gardens and grand, Downton Abbey-style houses are your thing, you’re going to love our country house picks.
As the new year approaches, Britain’s most grand estates are ready to shine.
Country houses and estates are a great choice for a family day out, with wide-open grounds and historic buildings to explore.
But it’s not all countryside walks and grand buildings – plenty of country estates now have loads to do for children, too.
We’ve rounded up some of the most magnificent country houses across the UK, packed with exciting events, gorgeous grounds and plenty of kids’ activities.
With impressive interiors and gardens made for wandering, here’s the Sun Travel team’s top picks for 2026.
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Chartwell House, Kent
Now I don’t know about you, but the thought of seeing inside the home of one of our Prime Ministers’ was thrilling.
And Chartwell House, the home of Sir Winston Churchill and his family, really did live up to the thrill.
Inside the stunning country home in Kent, there are lots of the former Prime Minister’s belongings, all laid out just as he himself positioned them.
But it isn’t just the house that is impressive – there is also a studio in the grounds, which is home to the largest single collection of Winston Churchill’s paintings.
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Many are landscapes and they truly are fascinating to look at. Whilst he was no Picasso, Churchill certainly was talented with a paintbrush.
Outside there is also a rose garden that was designed by Lady Churchill and a lawn which looks over the surrounding countryside.
If you want to grab a quick bite to eat, then head to Landemare Café, which serves light lunches, cakes and hot drinks.
Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding
Kentwell Hall, Suffolk
If you want the perfect autumn break, you need to head to Kentwell in Suffolk, which dates back to the 1400s.
It isn’t open all year round, but in the summer you can explore the grounds and gardens.
There are a number of themed days throughout the year.
One of my favourites is Hands-On History, where it takes you back in time to the 16th century.
Otherwise there is the Enchanting Gardens Lit by Night and the Dickensian Christmas events in the winter months.
Or there are Open Air Cinemas and Last Night at the Proms during the warmer months.
Save time to visit the nearby Long Melford too, a very quaint old village.
Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
Having first visited Ashridge House in 2022, I wouldn’t wait to go back.
Most of the house is actually closed because it’s used for weddings, but I still encourage anyone to go and see it.
It’s perfect to explore either on a crisp winter morning or sunny afternoon as there’s 190 acres of grounds to see from landscaped gardens to woodlands.
Thanks to its sprawling house and estate, it’s been used for filming things like The Dirty Dozen and Maleficent.
When you’re there, make sure to check out the Bakehouse as well which is a cafe in the courtyard that serves hot drinks, tasty pastries as well as breakfast and lunch.
During the festive season, the house also puts on a huge Christmas light display – which happens to be the biggest in Hertfordshire.
It has 20 installations across the estate along with a Ferris wheel that takes visitors up 115 feet into the air.
Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill
Holkham Hall, Norfolk
Holkham Hall in North Norfolk is a sprawling estate featuring a grand hall with beautiful stately rooms, surrounding wildlife and plenty of exciting events throughout the year.
I’ve never visited an estate that has so much to do.
You’ll also find plenty of spots to set up a picnic down by the river of Holkham Park amongst wandering deer, as well as a summer food festival.
The warmer months also see the Ropes Course open for adventurers keen to climb and swing through the treetops.
There’s even a deer and wildlife safari for £6 per person (though if you drive to nearby Snettisham Farm Park, there you can feed the deer by hand).
But Christmas is my favourite time to visit, with craft markets, candlelight tours of the Hall, and even Canine Carolling (a performance from a choir of festively-dressed dogs).
It’s a popular time to visit, with many flocking over after seeing the estate sparkle in Channel 4‘s Christmas at Holkham Hall decorating documentary.
The expansive country estate is also just a short walk away from Holkham Beach – a royal favourite and often visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Travel Writer, Jenna Stevens
Farlam Hall Country House Hotel, Cumbria
What could be better at the end of an epic walk than a glorious country house?
Which is why Farlam Hall in the Cumbrian countryside is perfectly situated, a few miles south of Hadrian’s Wall.
On a recent week’s hiking holiday along the wall, we stopped overnight at the 4-star property.
The classically decorated rooms and very comfy beds were the perfect respite from the long days’ walking.
But my favourite bit was the canapes in the drawing room before dinner.
It made me feel like I was in an Agatha Christie mystery.
Head of Travel – Digital, Caroline McGuire
Coleton Fishacre, Devon
Hidden in the lanes of Devon, Coleton Fishacre is a stunning “1920s country retreat complete with tropical garden by the sea”, states the National Trust.
The pretty house used to be a retreat for the D’Oyly Carte family, which included Rupert D’Oyly Carte – the son of Richard D’Oyly Carte who was the mastermind behind the Savoy Hotel.
The interiors are fascinating with lots of Art Deco features – all of which are in perfect condition.
Outside, visitors will find the RHS-accredited coastal valley garden, full of exotic plants and boasting sea views.
The entire house feels like exploring a treasure chest, with something exciting around each corner.
There is also a cafe at the house and a really good gift show with local handmade items.
Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding
Heythorp Park, Cotwsolds
ONE of the latest grand country house hotels to join the Warner Hotels group, this imposing 18th century country house set in 440 acres of glorious parkland is just a stone’s throw from Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Follow in the aristocratic footsteps of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who built the house in 1707 with a spot of clay pigeon shooting, archery or indulge in an afternoon tea on the terrace overlooking the stunning grounds.
And yet, for all its grandeur, this is a fantastic value way to enjoy a country house hotel.
Mid-week breaks with Warner include half board and all your entertainment and start from just £190 per night in January 2026.
Indulge in British classics in the Market Kitchen buffet restaurant at breakfast, lunch or dinner or enjoy a la carte fine dining in Brasserie32 and gastro pub classics in The Travelling Duke.
As well as an 18-hole championship golf course there’s a luxurious spa. For the real Downton experience, go for one of the mansion rooms in the original country house.
Head of Travel, Lisa Minot
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire is the kind of place you turn up to for a morning walk, and somehow end up staying all day.
The stately house sits in the middle of the countryside, on a working farm straight out of a picture book.
This National Trust estate is perfect for strolls down woodland walkways before settling down in the Old Rectory for tea and homemade scones.
Plus the 17th century mansion is well worth stepping inside to poke around its ornate rooms.
Families can head to Home Farm to meet rare-breed animals, climb on tractors and watch the shire horses at work.
There’s always something happening too, with open-air theatre in the warmer months and popular harvest fairs in the autumn.
And if you want a postcard-perfect picture, the walk up to the Gothic Tower gives you some of the dreamiest views in Cambridgeshire.
Travel Writer, Jenna Stevens