Ham House

Built in 1610 and extended in the 1670s, Ham House is one of the most outstanding Stuart houses from that period. It was home to the extravagant Duchess of Lauderdale, who was renowned as a political schemer and during the 17th-century the house was at the heart of Civil War politics and restoration court intrigue.

The beautiful gardens include the much photographed Cherry Garden featuring lavender parterres flanked by two berceaux (vaulted trellises) of pleached hornbeam and a statue of Bacchus at its centre. There are also eight grass plats; a south terrace border with clipped yew cones, hibiscus and pomegranate trees; a maze-like wilderness; a 17th-century Orangery; a tea terrace with reputedly the oldest Christ's Thorn bush in the country; an outer courtyard with Walnut and Chestnut trees that act as roost and nesting sites for a large flock of green parakeets; and formal listed avenues of over 250 trees.