England’s South East has long been a place of refuge for those seeking to escape the bustle of life in London, with many esteemed Englishmen and women having a ‘place in the country’ in proximity to the capital in which to weekend when the working week is done.
Churchill had Chartwell and a long succession of Prime Ministers – from Churchill to Sunak – have had Chequers.
Thankfully, today, many of our most beautiful country homes are open to paying guests, so you needn’t secure an invite into the highest echelons of society to be welcomed in through the doors.
Whether you’re looking for perfectly preened gardens that would make Gertrude Jekyll swoon, a taste of the high life, or something a touch more restrained, here are some of the loveliest places in the South East
