Historic Houses – United Kingdom

Many historic property owners in the United Kingdom have opened their doors – inviting visitors to come and have a look around. With the success of shows like Downton Abbey, visitor demand to come and visit historic houses has continued to grow as more and more people become fascinated with the past.

In our opinion, staying in a historic property is one of the best ways to soak up the history and atmosphere of a property. We’ve picked out 4 properties from the My Favourites collection which all have their own unique history. Although they may have been modernised to meet the needs of 21st century living, the charm and character of these historic properties still remains.

If you’re travelling to the west of England, located in the picturesque seaside village of Lee on the North Devon Coast is Old Maids Cottage.

New on the rental market for 2012, the cottage offers luxury accommodation for up to 6 people. The cottage itself probably dates back to the 1600′s but its special history comes from the end of the 20th Century. Old Maids Cottage takes its name from the Three Old Maids of Lee, who were so beautiful they didn’t think that any man was worthy of marrying them. As time went by, the three old maids grew old, bitter, and single – never to find love.

The story was captured in a poem which was popular with the men in the trenches of the First World War, and Old Maids Cottage became a popular sightseeing stop in days gone by. After some years of dilapidation, the cottage is now a stylish luxury property a five minute walk from the beaches and coast of North Devon.

Heading to the northern United Kingdom you’ll find the spectacular Highland Club – Scotland, which is situated on the shores of Loch Ness at Fort Augustus. Starting life as a military garrison during the Jacobite Rebellion, Fort Augustus was later converted in the Victorian era by Benedictine monks to a place of peace and tranquility.

The Highland Club now has a whole host of luxury apartments to choose from – such as the gorgeous St Andrew’s Chapel which sleeps four.

Surrounding the apartments are a whole host beautiful cloisters and courtyards built as part of the monastery, and guests are only a short distance from exploring the stunning scenery of Loch Ness.

For a spot of period living, Great Treverran is also available to rent if you’re looking at heading down to South Cornwall.

The house is an exquisite Queen Anne House that looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel. The house is just a stones-throw from the beautiful port of Fowey and close by to the fantastic Eden Project. Sleeping 10, Great Treverran would make an exceptional location for large families and groups to spend a holiday. Confirming the excellent reviews awarded by national newspapers, the inside of the house combines antique furniture with a range of contemporary artworks, and outside boasts a range of secret places for camping and camp fires!

Finally, if you want to head to the countryside of the Peak District National Park for a group holiday then how about the The Old Bake House?

Dating back to the 14th Century, the Old Bake House is a truly stunning luxury property for up to 15 guests – all within the beautiful chocolate box village of Bakewell. The property features an impressive range of beautifully styled bedrooms, with plenty of old original beams for character. The cottage is set in the beautiful Peak District which is incredibly popular for walkers and cyclists. Most importantly the exquisite Chatsworth House (the film location for Pride and Prejudice) is only a few miles away.

There are a whole host of different historic properties dotted around the UK, so take a look through the cottages listed on the site to find a historic home for your holiday.

Have a look at the Country Vacations & Resorts “UK Cottage of the Month” favorites!

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