England's country manor houses provide an amazing window into our nation's rich history. They offer glimpses of opulent lifestyles, architectural grandeur, glorious gardens and bygone eras. Nestled in idyllic countryside settings, they all have unique stories to tell.
As winter draws in, there's no better time to plan your next camping adventure amongst these magnificent estates. Whether you're a history and architecture enthusiast looking for a day trip with the family or love a good stroll in the countryside, these manor houses are perfect when spring finally arrives.
In this guide, we'll take you on a tour of the best National Trust manor houses across England. From the rolling hills of the South Downs to the rugged landscapes of the Lake District, here are seven estates to explore and where to camp nearby.
Belton House, Lincolnshire
The Timeless Appeal: A Brief History
England boasts over 3,700 country manor houses, each with a rich and fascinating history. These grand estates have hosted aristocracy for centuries, telling stories of power, wealth and survival during some of England's most dramatic times.
Many of these houses appeared between the late fifteenth and early eighteenth centuries, a period of enormous change. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, he seized church land and handed it to noble families who built their impressive estates. During the English Civil War, some manor houses were destroyed or turned into military bases, while others were rebuilt once the conflict ended.
Whether Tudor, Jacobean or Palladian, these houses weren't just places to live; they showcased status and power and helped their owners to throw lavish celebrations, solidifying their influence and wealth.
Despite wars, political chaos and the pressures of modern development, many of these manors survived because of groups like the National Trust. Founded in 1895, they've cared for these historic sites for nearly 130 years and now boast over 5.37 million members.
So, where are some of the best English manor houses to visit? Let's explore.
Kingston Lacy
Kingston Lacy, Dorset: A Collector's Dream
Kingston Lacy, an opulent country house in Dorset, displays the eccentric tastes and grand ambitions of its most famous owner, William John Bankes – a renowned collector, adventurer, politician, egyptologist and friend of Lord Byron.
This Italianate mansion reveals treasures from around the world, including an impressive art collection, Egyptian artefacts and sumptuously decorated rooms. The estate's gardens and parkland are just as enchanting, featuring a Japanese garden, ancient woodlands, the nearby Badbury Rings, and an Iron Age hill fort.
Accessibility
National Trust says:
At Kingston Lacy, there is Blue Badge parking and mobility scooters for hire. There is an accessible toilet. The house is partly accessible, and a virtual tour is available. Garden paths are mainly gravel.
There are ongoing upgrades being made to the property to improve accessibility including to the car park, toilets, and welcome building. The property will remain open during this time.
Wheelchair users have level access to three rooms on the basement level only, via a door located in Laundry Courtyard. To access the ground floor of the house via the main entrance there are four steps, and the first floor is only accessible by the main staircase.
Assistant dogs are welcome throughout the property
There may be low light levels in some rooms to comply with museum guidelines
Outside, path surfaces are made up of either tarmac, concrete, gravel, flagstone, or grass
Inside the house, floor surfaces consist of tile, marble, and carpet. In other buildings, floor surfaces consist of cobblestone, linoleum, and wood
Large print and braille guides are available
Sensory support packs are available at the visitor reception
Wilksworth Caravan Park is a spacious, quiet park well-suited for families, with a heated outdoor pool designed in a beautiful Spanish style. The rural situation is lovely, just outside Wimborne and around 12 miles from the beaches between Poole and Bournemouth.
Chartwell is more than just a house, it's a sanctuary that reflects the life and legacy of one of Britain's most iconic leaders – Sir Winston Churchill. Nestled in the picturesque hills of Kent, Chartwell provided Churchill with a much-needed escape from the pressures of public life. He bought the estate in 1922, making it his family home and retreat until his death.
The rooms remain as they were during his time, filled with personal mementoes, paintings and a deep sense of history. Outside, the gardens are a tranquil retreat, with a stunning rose garden, serene lakes and sweeping views over the Weald of Kent.
The surrounding countryside also offers excellent walking trails, including the Wealdway and the Greensand Way, making it a perfect spot for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Accessibility at Chartwell
National Trust says:
Chartwell is located on a hillside, meaning some visitors may have difficulty navigating certain areas.
The car park is located around 250m from the house, with access via a steep uphill path and 24 shallow steps. For those unable to negotiate steps, a mobility bus runs most days. Blue Badge parking is available and there is a drop off area outside the main entrance of the house (not suitable for coaches).
The Sitting Room, Drawing Room, Hall, and Library, all located on the ground floor, are accessible for wheelchair users. The upper floor is only accessible via the main staircase. There is a manual wheelchair on the upper floor. Some rooms have a small step. A virtual house tour is available.
Due to the hillside location of the property, the gardens are not fully accessible. There is a wheelchair accessible route from the front of the house to a viewpoint overlooking the Walled Garden. The Studio, shop and cafe are accessible.
Accessible toilets are available
A limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow
Some corridors in the house are narrow. Please read the full access statement for measurements
Seating is available throughout the gardens
Large print and braille guides are available
Fixed induction loops are available. Portable induction loops are available on request.
Set in 500 acres of the Garden of England, The Hop Farm Touring & Camping Park is the venue for many special events throughout the summer, including music festivals & shows. To one side, overlooking all this activity and the attractive cluster of oasts, is the touring park, which provides 150 pitches, of which 75 are hardstanding on flat, open fields. Electricity (16A) and water are available.
Wimpole Estate is the largest country house in Cambridgeshire, dating back to the seventeenth century. It's a truly sprawling estate, including a magnificent mansion, a working farm and acres of parkland designed by Capability Brown.
The interiors are a treasure trove of art, fine furniture, and historical curiosities that reflect the tastes of the various owners, including the prominent Yorke family. The library is particularly noteworthy. Designed by James Gibbs for Edward Harley (Earl of Oxford), it houses over 10,000 historic tomes over two rooms.
Wimpole's surrounding parkland and gardens are also ideal for exploration, with walking trails leading to the Gothic Tower and serene Capability Brown lakes.
Accessibility at Wimpole Estate
National Trust says:
There are several accessible, step-free routes through the main areas of the estate, and Wimpole Hall is accessed primarily via a flight of 12 stone steps or by using a stair climber. Blue Badge holders will find designated parking bays approximately 94 yards from Wimpole Estate’s visitor welcome centre.
The National Trust has gone to much effort to improve accessibility at the Wimpole Estate. Inside the main house, there are three floors; step-free access is only available on the ground floor. The upper floor is accessible via the main staircase and the basement can be accessed via a smaller back staircase.
Blue Badge parking is available and is located 86m from the visitor welcome building
A mobility bus offers pick up and drop off between the visitor welcome building, Stables, the main Hall, and the gardens and farm
Five powered wheelchairs, three manual wheelchairs and two mountain trikes are available to borrow (can also be booked in advance)
A stair climber is available to allow access to the hall (must be pre-booked)
Cherry Hinton Caravan and Motorhome Club site is compact, quiet, peaceful and open to non members. It is set in a disused quarry surrounded by tall trees and wild flowers, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site has been imaginatively landscaped to create the impression of being in the heart of the countryside while only a 25-minute bus journey to the city centre of beautiful Cambridge. The site has 56 small to medium sized pitches, mostly shaded by mature trees and shrubs. Six grass pitches are reserved for tents, 48 are on hardstanding and all have 16A electricity and a TV aerial point. There is an excellent heated toilet block and a small shop, but no other facilities. Cycling is very popular here.
Coughton Court is one of Warwickshire's most captivating country houses. With its striking Tudor façade, it was home to the Throckmorton family for over 600 years.
Indeed, the Throckmortons' staunch Catholicism played a significant role in the estate's history – most famously with the planning of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. The interiors are rich with period furnishings, portraits and memorabilia, while the gardens offer a peaceful retreat with a walled garden, rose labyrinth and scenic riverside walks.
Beyond the house, the River Arrow and the Heart of England Way offer beautiful walking routes through the Warwickshire countryside.
Accessibility at Coughton Court
National Trust says:
Several accessible parking spaces can be found in the main car park for Blue Badge holders. There are flat gravel paths around the gardens. The means of access to the upper floors is by staircase only.
National Trust acknowledges that historic houses and their associated gardens and estates present challenges to those who are less mobile but they are making improvements to provide access to all.
There are flat gravel paths around the formal gardens. Gravel and mown paths exist across the wider estate but these may be uneven in places. The ground floor of the main house is accessible via a ramp, all the ground floor rooms have enough space to manoeuvre wheelchairs however some corridors are narrow. The upper floors are accessible only via the main staircase.
There are several Blue Badge parking spaces in the car park and a drop off area next to the shop
Assistance dogs are welcome
There are three manual wheelchairs and one powered all-terrain wheelchair available to borrow
Virtual house tour available
Accessible toilets available
Sensory packs are available
Light levels vary throughout the house; some rooms have low light levels
Set in the beautiful rural countryside of Warwickshire, Island Meadow is a small, privately owned, family run park, surrounded by seven acres of secluded land. The park is situated on an island, formed by the River Alne with its mill race and provides a quiet and peaceful holiday setting. There is a natural mill pond and weir which are lined with mature trees, offering great coarse fishing, free of charge to all guests. All areas of the park are flat and close-mown, making the island a perfect centre for bird watching, walking, cycling or just relaxing.
Nostell Priory is a stunning example of eighteenth-century Palladian architecture, set in the heart of West Yorkshire. Built by the Winn family, the house boasts an extensive collection of exquisite Chippendale furniture, fine art and intricate plasterwork. You'll find a masterclass in Georgian elegance, with ornate ceilings, grand staircases and lavishly decorated rooms.
The estate features beautifully landscaped parkland and gardens, a large lake and miles of woodland trails. Nostell is also an ideal spot for family adventure. Speed through the trees in the woodland play area, cycle through the forest or try your hand at building a den. There's so much to discover.
Accessibility at Nostrell Priory
Accessible route map available
Accessible toilets available
Blue Badge parking available
Induction loop
Large print and braille guides available
Lift
Assistance dogs welcome in the house
Manual and powered wheelchairs available to borrow
This secluded woodland park is within the Nostell Priory estate and provides up to 40 touring pitches, in addition to 84 caravan holiday homes in a separate area. In a grassy, slightly sloping and sheltered area edged with mature trees and with a gravel access road, all the touring pitches have 6A electricity and hardstanding. The park’s amenities are designed to blend into the environment and are built in rustic wood, including the sanitary block. The natural environment is encouraged so there is an abundance of birds and wildlife. Nostell Priory itself, with its collection of Chippendale furniture and attractive gardens, is well worth a visit.
The Cumbrian Sizergh Castle is a striking medieval fortress, home to the Strickland family for over 700 years. The castle's interiors are a rich tapestry of medieval, Tudor and Georgian influences, featuring oak-panelled rooms, intricately carved fireplaces, and a stunning fine art and furniture collection.
The surrounding gardens, with their limestone rock garden and orchard, perfectly complement the historic house. And, of course, if you're looking for outdoor adventure, the nearby Lake District offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, wild swimming, birdwatching and much more.
Accessibility at Sizergh Castle
National Trust says:
The open plan and well-lit visitors centre is accessed via a ramp. There are 12 designated Blue Badge parking spaces. Accessible toilets can be found in the visitors centre and the Old Forge.
An accessible route around the garden has been created with even surfaces and no steps; this takes in most of the main sights. Level grass paths have been reinforced with geotextile to aid access. The Holeslack accessible trail around the wider estate has been designed to allow access to manual and powered wheelchairs with easily accessible gates, benches along the route, and is fenced off from grazing livestock.
Entrance to the main house is via a ramp. The area outside the main entrance is gravelled. The ground floor is step-free. Access to the upper floor is via the main staircase. Light levels are low in some rooms. Some corridors are narrow.
There are 12 designated Blue Badge parking spaces. The car park surface consists of flat tarmac. The overflow car park is grassed and reasonably level
A drop off area is situated the visitors centre
Induction loop available
Three manual wheelchairs and two powered trampers (pre-book prior to visit) are available to borrow
Low Sizergh Farm Caravan and Camping site is on the southern edge of the Lake District National Park, set on an organic dairy farm, also home to Low Sizergh Barn farm shop and café. The site combines farmed and natural landscapes and sits between two National Parks. Nature reserves, woodlands, areas of outstanding natural beauty and special scientific interest surround it.
Known as the "palace of the modern magician", Cragside is a marvel of Victorian innovation. Built by the pioneering industrialist and engineer Lord Armstrong, Cragside was the first house in the world to be powered by hydroelectricity.
This Northumbrian house is packed with ingenious nineteenth-century gadgets and inventions, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of technology. It features hydraulic lifts, fire alarm systems and even a Turkish bath, all cutting-edge technologies of their time.
The surrounding estate offers plenty of outdoor activities, including woodland walking trails, a rhododendron maze, formal gardens, and opportunities to kayak on the estate's lakes.
Accessibility at Cragside
Access to the gardens is via a sloping path. Level access is available only to the lawn area and outside the Orchard House. The main house is accessed via a ramp. The ground floor is level. Modern mobility scooters may be too wide to access some areas of the house. Light levels are low in some rooms.
There are six designated Blue Badge parking spaces near the visitors centre and 3 further accessible spaces near the house
Shuttle bus service (with rear lift for wheelchairs)
Assistance dogs welcome
Large print and braille guides available
Accessible toilets available
Induction loop available
Manual wheelchairs available to borrow
Ramped access
Virtual tour with subtitles and BSL
Calm corner located in main house if you need a quiet space
River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Alnwick is set amid the Cheviot Hills, with excellent walking and cycling in the scenically beautiful surroundings to keep the active holiday maker happy. Walk from the site into the delightful Breamish Valley where many remains from the Neolithic and Bronze Age, including hill forts and medieval villages can be seen. It is an easy walk into the quaint little village of Powburn. The stunning surrounding scenery and beaches can also be enjoyed, including the long sandy beaches and castle at Bamburgh. The site has 76 mainly hardstanding pitches, all with 16 amp electricity.
These seven National Trust properties offer a taste of England's rich history, stunning estates and breathtaking countryside. There's so much to explore. So, where will you head next?
At Alan Rogers, we'll help you plan your perfect getaway. Whether you're looking for a large family-friendly park or a quiet, cosy campsite, we've got you covered. With over 8,000 locations across England, France, Spain and beyond, find the ideal spot for your next adventure.
Author
Peter Stannett
Content Writer
Peter is a key part of our creative team; he's a multifaceted individual with a deep love for cooking, travel, and music.
While he does a stellar job of keeping our content fresh, focusing on SEO and monitoring website traffic, his heart truly belongs to the world of culinary delights, exploration, and his guitar.
In the heart of the United Kingdom lies a treasure trove of historical wonders that often escape the attention of mainstream tourists. This blog aims to shed light on wheelchair-accessible historical attractions, offering a unique and enriching experience for those who seek a journey beyond the beaten path.
