Upton House

Cared for by the National Trust, Upton House sits on the edge of Edgehill and is one of the closest stately homes to Gardners Cottage.

In the 1920s the house was remodelled as a country retreat by Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, chairman of Shell. It holds his remarkable collection of art, including works by El Greco, Bruegel, Hogarth and Stubbs, alongside fine porcelain and a fascinating display of vintage Shell advertising posters.

The gardens are the real surprise. From the lawn behind the house, the grounds drop away into a hidden valley of terraced gardens, herbaceous borders, a kitchen garden and a tranquil mirror pond. The National Collection of Asters makes a beautiful display in early autumn.

The site has a café and shop, and you can explore the nearby Edgehill battlefield, site of the first major battle of the English Civil War.

Distance from Gardners Cottage: 13 miles / 20 minutes drive