19 of our favourite books on country houses and country house design

As well as the works of fiction we know and love, country houses and country house style have been the subject of countless non-fiction books. Some explore the history of a specific historic house or examine the very concept of country house style; others hone in on various interpretations; and then there are the monographs showcasing the work of an individual architect, decorator or decorating firm. To celebrate the launch of our country issue this month, we are looking back at some of our favourites featured in House & Garden over the years, from more recent publications to classics everyone should have on their shelves.

Books on the history of country houses

John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture by Charles Saumarez Smith (2026)

This year marks the tercentenary of the death of John Vanbrugh, the playwright-turned-architect who designed some of England’s best-loved country houses, including Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace. Due to be published this spring ahead of a major exhibition opening in London this spring, this new illustrated biography celebrates the man behind the buildings. The cultural historian Charles Saumarez Smith has studied Vanbrugh’s personal letters in close detail to shed light on not only his unique approach to architecture but also his fascinating life story, his personal beliefs and ideas, and his relationships with his friends and clients. Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture is on March 4 to June 28 at Sir John Soane’s Museum. RW

John Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture by Charles Saumarez Smith (Lund Humphries)

Burghley House by John Martin Robinson (2025)

Burghley House in in Lincolnshire was mostly created for 1st Lord Burghley, William Cecil (1520-1598), who was Elizabeth I’s chief adviser. Through these pages, Burghley House, with its extraordinary roofscape, rises like a vision of 16th-century Spenserian England, a lively expression of the influence of Italian Renaissance details conveyed through France. Its exceptional Baroque interiors were created later for the well-travelled John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700) and his countess Anne (1649-1703), who collected art from across Europe. The master landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown transformed its grounds in the 18th century and made additions, including new stables, a greenhouse and a banqueting house for Brownlow Cecil, 9th Earl of Exeter (1725-1793), who also completed several of the interiors. This book, with magnificent photographs by Ashley Hicks, is the ideal guide to understanding the house’s rich and complex story. Jeremy Musson

Burghley House by John Martin Robinson (Rizzoli)

Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill (2024)

Blenheim is one of Britain’s great houses, a masterpiece of English baroque by Sir John Vanbrugh, completed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Intended as a symbol of gratitude for the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s 1704 victory against the French, the house is also, as Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill reminds us, a family home. This book is crafted by someone who knows Blenheim intimately – and enhanced by new photography by Hugo Rittson Thomas. It gives the reader an insight into the great state rooms and more private spaces and introduces the members of the Spencer-Churchill family who shaped the house and have perhaps – to paraphrase Winston Churchill, who was born there in 1874 – been shaped by it. Jeremy Musson

Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill (Rizzoli)

The Irish Country House: A New Vision by Robert O’Byrne (2024)

Robert O’Byrne, otherwise known as the Irish Aesthete, is the foremost writer on a subject that has seen many volumes published over the past few decades. However, this latest book, as its subtitle suggests, presents something new. Here is a narrative of hope and rejuvenation, written in an easy-to-read style that is underpinned by serious scholarship. After an informative introduction distilling the historical background and setting the scene, Robert discusses 15 houses and castles, giving each its own chapter. The properties chosen represent different styles, periods, sizes and geographic locations. Some of them have never been featured in print before, which lends the book an air of discovery, like a behind-the-scenes tour with someone who knows his subject intimately. James Peill

The Irish Country House: A New Vision by Robert O’Byrne (Rizzoli)

Jewish Country Houses edited by Abigail Green and Juliet Carey (2024)

Prior to the 19th century, Jews did not have secure rights to freehold property in much of Europe. Thus some great houses, explain the writers of this magnificent book, are not only symbols of wealth and power, but ‘served as a vehicle for the emancipation of a historically persecuted and disadvantaged minority’. Several of the featured and photographed residences, located on the continent and in America, may be less known to the reader. Others, meanwhile, will be very familiar: Hughenden and Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, Strawberry Hill in Twickenham. Examined through a Jewish lens, particular nuances are illuminated, and within the architecture, exquisite gardens and spectacular collections are complex stories integral to our collective history. Fiona McKenzie Johnston

Jewish Country Houses edited by Abigail Green and Juliet Carey (Profile Editions)

Knole: A Private View of One of Britain’s Great Houses by Robert Sackville-West (2022)

This is a glorious chronicle of a remarkable house and its history and contents. Wonderful pictures, by Ashley Hicks, of seemingly every nook and cranny as well as the grandest of rooms make for a richly illustrated book. Ashley was able to make the most of the pandemic and take his time in capturing this extraordinary, and vast, house without having to think about visitors disturbing his or the house’s peace. Author and Knole’s current inhabitant, Robert Sackville, gives a vivid account of his family’s history at Knole right up until the present day. Hatta Byng

Knole: A Private View of One of Britain’s Great Houses by Robert Sackville-West (Rizzoli)

The Story of the Country House by Clive Aslet (2021)

Elaborating on the idea that the country house is its own ‘little kingdom’, the celebrated architectural historian Clive Aslet explores the stories behind some of the finest examples in Britain, including Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, and Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, alongside numerous country houses that were lost to war and economic decline. Organised by period, this is a book less about the architecture and more about the people and context that shaped – and continues to shape – these glorious country estates. Elizabeth Metcalfe

The Story of the Country House by Clive Aslet (Yale University Press)

Chatsworth, Arcadia, Now: Seven Scenes from the Life of a House by John-Paul Stonard (2021)

Chatsworth is the country house that seems to have everything: architecture, gardens, scenery, splendour, ancient marbles, Canova sculptures, fabulous books and gems, the Emperor Fountain, trompe-l’oeil… Top of the list should come the family who own it – who have been good at producing the right sort of heirs. For successive Dukes of Devonshire have not only cared for their heritage, but have also regularly augmented it by collecting new works of art. Chatsworth, Arcadia, Now celebrates the completion of a campaign of restoration that was begun by the 12th Duke after he inherited the estate in 2004. Emphasising the ‘Now’, the book is organised in chronologically reverse order, starting with today and heading backwards. The eye of the photographer Victoria Hely-Hutchinson offers a similarly new take – a wholly different approach to the portrayal of Chatsworth from that of the past. Read the full review here. Clive Aslet

Chatsworth, Arcadia, Now by John-Paul Stonard (Particular Books)

Old Homes, New Life: The Resurgence of the British Country House by Clive Aslet (2020)

Decades after the British country house was declared dead, this book by Clive Aslet shows just how full of life many of England’s stately homes are today. He introduces us to the new generation of custodians reviving their inherited homes and finding news ways to live in and protect these ancient buildings, each family doing things in their own unique – and sometimes charmingly eccentric – way. With this, we are granted unprecedented access to 12 private homes across the country: Madresfield Court, Loseley Park, Helmingham Hall, Burton Agnes Hall, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Doddington Hall, Broughton Castle, Hopetoun House, Firle Place, Grimsthorpe Castle, Powderham Castle and Inveraray Castle. Beautifully illustrated by Dylan Thomas’s new photography, this is the perfect book with which to while away a winter’s afternoon. RW

Old Homes, New Life: The Resurgence of the British Country House by Clive Aslet (Triglyph Books)

The English Country House by James Peill (2013)

Take a tour of 10 magnificent buildings in this brilliant book by James Peill, which quickly entered the canon of country house greats and has already been reissued since 2013. Over more than 200 pages, we learn the stories behind these glorious country houses and are offered a rare glimpse into their distinctive interiors, glorious gardens and collections of treasures, from fine art to personal memorabilia. But, as in so many of these books, it is the people that call these houses home who often steal the show. As James Peill recounts the ups and downs of these dynasties’ fates and fortunes, and in turn how this affected their homes, you will find yourself thoroughly gripped – and might even forget that you’re reading a work of non-fiction and not a novel. Exquisite photography by James Fennell, whose own Irish home was first featured in House & Garden in August 2024, brings everything to life in vivid detail. RW

The English Country House by James Peill (Thames & Hudson)

Life in the English Country House: A Social and Architectural History by Mark Girouard (1978)

As the dreary 1970s limped to their conclusion, a bright star appeared in the firmament of a public, at that time considerable, who were excited by country houses. This was Life in the English Country House by the late Mark Girouard. Published in 1978, it has sold more than 140,000 copies in hardback and numerous more in paperback editions. It has changed the way that people have looked at and written about country houses ever since. Until that time, most historians had principally been interested in the architecture of the country house, identifying styles, owners, architects, craftsmen and the way that the buildings had been changed over the centuries. Mark asked what these places were for. Clive Aslet

Life in the English Country House by Mark Girouard (Yale University Press)

Books on country house style

The Bible of British Taste: Stories of Home, People & Place by Ruth Guilding (2025)

As well as being an art and design historian, Ruth Guilding is the creator of The Bible of British Taste Instagram account, with its parade of gloriously bohemian rooms, and a blog of the same name. And now we have her bible in print – not a conventional coffee table book, but a comprehensive compilation of rooms in houses belonging to artists, designers, makers, growers and other creatives, plus essays on British design icons, the British pub, nostalgic brands, folklore and a Cornish flower farmer. Like the interiors it features, the book is visually rich, eccentric and personal. There is abundant decorating inspiration, but sadly none of the author’s beautiful, impromptu snapshots show houses in their entirety. Yet the mix of autobiography (most of the people Ruth calls friends turn out to be style giants) with anecdotes, wit and scholarship make for an unusually thoughtful and engaging text. Ros Byam Shaw

The Bible of British Taste: Stories of Home, People & Place by Ruth Guilding (Frances Lincoln)

English Country House Style: Traditions, Secrets, and Unwritten Rules by Milo and Katy Campbell (2024)

‘English country house style is not solely the preserve of large country houses. Many of these stylistic shibboleths can be found in country cottages as well as stately homes. They speak of a grand but comfortable style of living. One that respects the past but whose formality is often pricked with contemporary flourishes and an eccentric English sense of fun.’ The opening words of this book perfectly capture the spirit of the houses featured within its pages – and indeed the very essence of English country house style. As property finders based in the Cotswolds, the authors have a unique perspective on the modern country house, delivered in a light-hearted, playful way that makes the book a very entertaining read. Each chapter is devoted to a key element of the typical country house, from the boot room to four-poster beds, drinks tables and dogs (of course), so it also serves as a useful guide for anyone embarking on their own project. The icing on the cake is Mark Nicholson’s brilliant photography revealing examples ripe for re-creation. RW

English Country House Style Traditions, Secrets, and Unwritten Rules by Milo and Katy Campbell (Abrams)

An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today by Ben Pentreath (2024)

Following his previous two books English Decoration and English Houses, the renowned architect and decorator Ben Pentreath showcases some of his most recent, and most impressive, work in An English Vision. ‘An early decision – actually, for which, I have Veere Grenney to be grateful – was to include not just decoration and private houses in the book, but some of the masterplanning projects too,’ Ben himself writes in an exclusive piece for House & Garden. ‘Veere was adamant that this was all a part of what made me, me. And so the warp and weft of text and ideas and themes began to take shape. Now the book has four main sections – Cities, Towns & Townhouses, Country Houses, and Farm & Village – and it opens with some ideas on ‘My Way of Thinking’ – looking at the complex strands that link how we design an individual building, or an interior, or the streets of a new town. It showcases some 30 of our completed projects, of all different scales and types. It’s all, really about the idea of harmonious comfort, visual beauty and about being informed by the best parts of history – but never being afraid of the future.’ RW

An English Vision by Ben Pentreath (Rizzoli)

New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives by Elizabeth Metcalfe

New English Interiors is a 250-page snapshot of a particular (and particularly appealing) style of English decorating – one in which the rooms are layered and textured, colours are strong and patterns playful. The shelves are lined with books and the mantelpieces laden with treasures and oddities; there is a mixture of high art and folk art. It is the way so many of us want to live. Its writer and mastermind is House & Garden’s own houses and features director Elizabeth Metcalfe, who writes in the introduction about ‘a certain eccentricity’ that is also associated with the style. She promises that the 22 houses she has included are ’deeply personal… a visual feast’. They certainly are. Each chapter opens with a striking portrait of the homeowner, which sets the scene perfectly for the stories Lizzie goes on to tell. You get the sense she knows her subjects well and that the interiors she has chosen to feature appeal to her personally. It gives this book an intimate and pleasingly authentic feel. David Nicholls

New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives by Elizabeth Metcalfe (Frances Lincoln)

The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House by Edward Bulmer (2022)

In the course of his 30-year career, Edward Bulmer, architectural historian, interior designer and founder of his eponymous paint company, has worked on the restoration and interior design of more than 50 historic houses. His book features 17 of them, including Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home, Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence, and Goodwood. It was the request of the Duchess of Richmond, chatelaine of Goodwood, that any changes he made there would not harm the planet or her children’s health, that inspired the creation of Edward Bulmer natural paints. Historic research is at the heart of everything he does; taking a house back to an era where he can be sure that the records exist. He enjoys the sleuthing, and re-making the components of an original scheme with craftsmen of today. As he says ‘with historical decoration there are some right and some wrong answers’. Elfreda Pownall

The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House by Edward Bulmer (Rizzoli)

Perfect English Style by Ros Byam Shaw

As part of a series of several other wonderful books by the same author, the most recent of which is Perfect English: Small and Beautiful, this one presents a broader look at the basic ingredients of English style – a style that is practised throughout the world, and has realised extraordinary longevity, thanks to its comfort, timelessness, achievability and allure. Chapters are arranged by room or theme – Antiques, Fabrics – and there are photographs of houses that include Ros’s own, Ben Pentreath and Charlie McCormick’s London flat and several projects that Emma Burns had a hand in. At the back is a helpful sourcebook, but if you’re reading this in 2030, it’s probably worth cross referencing it with The List by House & Garden to make sure you have the most up-to-date contact details. Fiona McKenzie Johnston

Perfect English Style by Ros Byam Shaw (Ryland, Peters & Small)

Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style by Martin Wood (2005)

Or indeed – any book on Nancy Lancaster, the American who brought to fruition what is now universally recognised as and referred to as ‘English country house style’. This book is full of photographs, illustrations and meticulous analysis of some of Nancy’s most famous rooms, from the Gothic bedroom at Haseley Court to the legendary yellow room at Avery Row. It’s well worth buying Martin Wood’s John Fowler: Prince of Decorators too; he was Nancy’s partner at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, the decorating business that was founded by Sibyl Colefax, bought by Nancy in 1944, and is still creating some of the most exceptional interiors in the world. It’s impossible to underestimate Nancy and John’s influence – and there’s no better place to study their work than via their own projects. Fiona McKenzie Johnston

Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style by Martin Wood (Frances Lincoln)

Colefax and Fowler: Inspirational Interiors by Roger Banks-Pye (1997)

If you want to learn more about the enduring impact of the legendary trio Sibyl Colefax, John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster, this book by the firm’s late decorator Roger Banks-Pye is a must read. Republished this month, it is a timeless classic and – true its title – will never fail to provide inspiration. Roger’s projects span town and country (the London home of the late, great Valentino being a particular highlight) but each one is infused with the often indefinable qualities that we have come to associate with English country house style: elegance, comfort and, crucially, a sense of individuality. As a review on the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler website says, it gives ‘an insight into Roger’s unique and often irreverent approach to solving particular problems. Laying chintz on the floor instead of carpet, sticking torn squares of Japanese paper onto a wall to create dramatic checks and using a fabric the wrong side round for a subtle, knocked-back effect.’ RW

Colefax and Fowler: Inspirational Interiors by Roger Banks-Pye (Ryland, Peters & Small)