What's On at the Treasure Houses of England 2016

Enjoy a day out at the Treasure Houses of England this 2016. With 10 Stately Homes, Castles and Palaces across the country there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. We have rounded-up the new and exciting events, exhibitions and tours on offer.

New from February, explore the evolution of the motor car in an exciting new display in Beaulieu's National Motor Museum. Discover how automotive technology has developed since the dawn of motoring, where it may take us in the future and what goes on underneath the bonnet of your favourite car. Informative displays and film footage will be cleverly combined with cars from the Museum's collection to demonstrate notable developments in the field of automotive design and, with the push of a button, hear Beaulieu's crash test dummy talk about the development of car safety.

Blenheim Palace will be celebrating the tercentenary of 'Capability' Brown with a new temporary exhibition opening in February. Visitors will also be able to experience the landscape in a new trail and a series of exclusive carriage rides on selected dates. The extensive events calendar has a whole host of new events including the much-anticipated Countryfile Live weekend, 4-7 August. Visitors can experience two new tours: Upstairs and Downstairs as well as the chance to see the Private Apartments, dates running from Feb-Sept. Plus, for 2016, visitors will be able to dine in the iconic Orangery in the new brasserie style restaurant.

New at Burghley from 19 March will be two exciting exhibitions; 'Capability Brown at Burghley' exploring Brown's influence on both the parkland and the House, and 'The Georgians at Burghley', which brings to life fascinating objects used and obtained by family during the Georgian period.

Enjoy the Castle Howard Flower Festival 23 to 26 June with stunning floral displays which fill the house alongside demos and workshops and a plant and flower fair. The walled garden is a riot of colour and perfume and Ray Wood's paths offer a tranquil, dappled place to discover glades of rhododendrons, wild roses, magnolias and more. A range of tours for groups and individuals will allow visitors to explore the woodland garden and walled garden with an expert guide as well as uncovering the history of Castle Howard's landscape, waterways and monuments.

2016 is set to be another remarkable year at Chatsworth with so much to see and do, including an exciting calendar of events and exhibitions. The house garden, farmyard and adventure playground are open every day from 19 March 2016.

Hatfield House will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first official tank trials which took place in the Park in February 1916. A replica Mark IV tank will be on display in the Park throughout the year with information boards and an accompanying exhibition in the Library explaining the history of the Tank and its links to Hatfield House. 

Harewood House will be celebrating 300 years of Capability Brown in a new “Art of Landscape” exhibition. “Capability” Brown's work has inspired landscape gardeners, architects and designers for centuries. At Harewood, this influence has extended to some of Britain's most well-known artists. The Art of Landscape presents a full and fresh assessment of the cultural influence of the “Capability” Brown design at Harewood and invites you to explore the innovations made by artists across the centuries.

Holkham Hall will be opening a new exhibition entitled 'Field to Fork - Food and Farming on the Holkham Estate, Past and Present' telling the fascinating story of Holkham's unique farming heritage. The exhibition will take visitors on a journey exploring the origins of farming at Holkham demonstrating how modern day technology and diversification is embraced by a traditional estate. Visitors to the hall will also be able to see a new display for 2016 commemorating the life of the Edward Coke, the 7th Earl of Leicester who died in 2015.

Leeds Castle will be hosting a series of fantastic family events. EnjoyMotors by the Moat from 7-8 May. The perfect weekend for anyone with a passion for cars! Get up close to hundreds of vintage, high performance and classic cars from around the world. Don't miss the Grand Medieval Joust 28 – 30 May, see fully armoured jousters battling it out in a real competition. Enjoy living history encampments, medieval music and mounted skill at arms displays. Whilst from 24 - 28 September, the Festival of Flowers returns to the Castle with the theme of 'A Queen's Castle'. See the Castle rooms transformed into works of art using flowers, by international and award winning florists and floral designers. Take part in floral workshops, talks and demonstrations throughout the event.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Woburn Abbey, 'The Gardener's Garden Show', from 25-26 June offers visitors the best location of any show in the UK. Taking place within the 28 acres of Abbey Gardens, including 14 acres of the family's private gardens not usually open to the public, this year the Garden Show will also be showcasing the launch of a new book about Woburn Abbey. Woburn Abbey: The Park and Gardens, written by landscape designer, Keir Davidson, with an introduction by Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford. The book tells a fascinating story that illuminates both the history of English landscaping and the highs and lows of an aristocratic family that has been at the centre of British life for more than four centuries.

ENDS

For more information and images please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548