Tag Archives: Historic Homes

My New Favorite Newsletter

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In a previous post I wrote about one of my favorite TV shows (hint: it’s about houses). Today I thought I’d share one of my favorite newsletters (hint: it’s also about houses!).

If you’re like me, you probably subscribe to several newsletters from favorite authors, local shops, online book sellers, or news sites. Sometimes I think I subscribe to too many newsletters, and I can’t possibly read them all with the attention they deserve.

Black and white photo from 1960s of woman seated at desk on which is an old telephone, a book and some papers. She is smiling and holding her hands above her head, having just tossed a stack of papers up into the air.

I’ll admit, too often I simply scan a newsletter topic and make a quick decision whether I want to delete it or read more. And even when I choose the read-more option, I often view the newsletter in terms of how quickly I can master its contents before I clear it from my inbox.

But there’s an exception.

And that exception is my weekly newsletter from Historic Houses.

Logo for Historic Homes.

When it arrives in my virtual mailbox, I grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy learning about some of the most beautiful and historically fascinating homes in the United Kingdom.

Black mug filled with coffee and printed with the words "This is my happy hour."

It’s a newsletter dedicated to historic homes of all sizes, from quaint thatched cottages to over-the-top Gothic extravaganzas like Carlton Towers in Yorkshire.

Aerial photo of a large castle with multiple wings and towers, the tallest of which is a clock tower.
Carlton Towers, Yorkshire

It features plenty of photos (always a plus, since I’m a visually-oriented person) to fire my imagination. I love to daydream about touring the homes I read about in the newsletter. And I wonder how it would feel to wander through the beautifully-landscaped gardens they feature in every issue.

Aerial photo of the formal gardens and walking paths behind Island Hall, a large red-brick manor house that was originally built in 1750.
Island Hall, Cambridgeshire

Some issues have aerial photos of homes and parklands (like the view below of Belmont House). From a research perspective, they help me better understand how far the stables were from the main house, how long it would take a carriage to travel from the gate to the front doorstep, and what kind of views guests had from their bed chambers.

Aerial photo of Belmont House, a large, imposing residence with extensive grounds.
Belmont House, Kent

From a personal perspective, they’re just so lovely to look at.

Photo of large, two-story Georgian set amidst large trees and a deep green lawn.
Deans Court, Dorset

Then there are the photos of the gorgeously maintained and restored interiors, like this bathroom at Comberemere Abbey:

Photo of the interior of a large bathroom with a tall Gothic-framed window in the center of the exterior wall. A soaking tub is in the middle of the room. On either side of the window are twin vanities with sinks and mirrors. A white upholstered chair and a white chaise lounge stand on either side of the tub.
Comberemere Abbey, Whitchurch, Shorpshire

Granted, it’s a very modernly-looking bath, but I love how it was designed to make the original Gothic window the centerpiece.

Some issues of the newsletter have interviews with property owners or chatelaines (yes, they still use that word!) who share histories of the properties and the families who live in them.

Long shot of medieval castle with long battlements across the front and protective walled walkways. The castle is set against lush parklands on one side and a tranquil lake on the other.
Raby Castle (credit Raby.co.uk)

If you’re lucky enough to live in (or plan to visit) the U.K., the newsletter has plenty of advice about:

  • Which properties serve high tea
  • Where to do a whiskey tasting
  • What properties are hiring (Yowza, wouldn’t it be great to work in one of these places?)
  • The best time of year to tour a certain property, and how to buy tickets

All of this newsletter goodness arrives in my mailbox each week for free. And for about thirty minutes every Friday I can sit back and escape my everyday American life for the beauty and rich history of centuries-old homes that are still important and thriving today.

A Tudor style house with a tall gable roof and four prominent chimneys, set back behind a lush English garden of flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Dixter House and Gardens, East Sussex

If you’re not already a subscriber, you can have your share of historic house happiness. Sign up to receive their free newsletter by clicking here. You’ll also get access to all their past newsletters. (Warning: Reading them can be addictive.)

Do you subscribe to any excellent newsletters? Please share your favorites in the comments!

By the way, unless otherwise noted, all the photos of houses in this post are courtesy of HistoricHouses.org.

Another by the way: I don’t receive any compensation of any kind for recommending HistoricHouses.org. I just like to share things I like with others.