>> Full list of Historic Houses properties open to the public
Most people have heard of the National Trust and know about the value of an NT membership. Others will have heard of the English Heritage and their membership card, which allows free entry to hundreds of historic properties around the UK, including stone circles and castles. But if your passion is stately homes, there's another organisation that you need to consider - Historic Houses (formerly the Historic Houses Association, or HHA).
The HHA is an association of 1650 independently owned historic houses (stately homes), parks, and gardens throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Included in the HHA are such national treasures as Althorp, Glamis Castle, and Castle Howard. Beyond these "big names" there are hundreds of wonderful historic manors and lesser-known houses such as Great Dixter (East Sussex) and gardens like West Dean, near Chichester.
Most historic houses have entry fees in the range of £8 - 12 or more per adult, and the amounts can eat into a traveller's budget quickly. Current membership fees for Historic Houses start at £50.00 single membership, £80.00 double membership, and £23.00 for each additional family member at the same address. If you plan to visit more than a few historic houses in Britain, Historic Houses membership will quickly pay for itself.
For full details on the HHA see their website at: http://www.historichouses.org/, or contact the association at:
Historic Houses
2 Chester Street
London,
W1X 7BB
Membership enquiries should go to:
Historic Houses Membership Department
Heritage House
PO Box 21
Baldock
Hertfordshire SG7 5SH
members@historichouses.org
