Westonbirt

The current house was built between 1863 and 1870 by Robert Stayner Holford, who inherited the estate in 1839 and essentially reshaped the entire village to suit his vision. You'll immediately notice the house's impressive ashlar masonry and grand proportions – Lewis Vulliamy designed it to be nothing short of palatial.

The Holford family owned the estate from 1665 onwards, gradually transforming it from an original Elizabethan manor into the impressive Victorian structure you see today. Robert didn't just rebuild the house; he relocated villagers and diverted the main road to create his ideal setting. The gardens were completely remodelled too, so the grounds are worth exploring if you have time.

Today you can tour the house itself, which gives genuine insight into Victorian wealth and taste, or simply walk the grounds and appreciate the architecture from outside. The village itself is quiet and rural, which makes it feel quite separate from the busier tourist spots. Tetbury, just a short drive away, offers shops and restaurants if you want to make a day of exploring the area. It's the kind of place that appeals to anyone interested in Victorian history or country house architecture rather than those looking for typical village attractions.