Wilton House

Wilton House is a spectacular country house situated in 21 acres of landscaped parkland, the perfect county houses to include on a Private Tour of England. It's been the Earls of Pembrokes' country seat for over 400 years. The estate is renowned as a filming location for successful films such as Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Netflix hits like The Crown and Bridgerton. 

The famous architect Inigo Jones introduced the Palladian (symmetrical and classical) style to Britain, and Wilton House is a fine example. The exceptional landscaper Lancelot "Capability" Brown designed the superb gardens and are to this day one of the estate’s many must-sees. One of the interior highlights is the double cube room because of its grandeur. The important state rooms have painted ceilings depicting the stories of mythological heroes, such as Perseus and Icarus. If you’re visiting with your children, the Adventure Playground is the perfect place to spend time. The estate is involved in the community with both farming and the sawmill yard that houses three independent craft workshops.

Wilton House was once a monastery. After King Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, William Herbert, the 1st Earl of Pembroke, purchased the estate in 1544. He served as a soldier of fortune under King Francis I of France before becoming the Wilton House owner. Due to a devastating fire in 1647, only a tiny section of the original house survived; what you see today are mainly alterations that were made during the 18th and 19th century. Today it is still a family home for the current Earl and Countess of Pembroke, but the state rooms and grounds are open to the public.

Visit this exquisite example of Palladian architecture on a Private Tour of England. We recommend staying at The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. Take the opportunity to visit Stonehenge, Europe’s most famous ancient monument. Or why not book the Bridgerton Tour and discover the real film locations of the hit series. Salisbury Cathedral is known as the tallest medieval building in the world and is home to a copy of the magna carta; the famous 13th century document. Or go to Old Sarum, where an ancient settlement is waiting to be explored.