Britain has hundreds of extraordinary historic houses most people never find.
Not the National Trust. Not English Heritage. But privately owned homes - passed down through generations, lived in today, shaped by the families and teams devoted to their care. They hold art to rival any gallery, architecture spanning centuries, and stories still unfolding. And yet most people drive past without ever knowing what lies within. HeritageXplore exists to change that.
Where this began
Our founder, Violet Garnock (née Manners), grew up at Belvoir Castle. She understands these houses innately - what it takes to care for them, what makes them extraordinary, and why they matter. She also saw something clearly: that too many of these places remained invisible, inaccessible, and undervalued. That the people who loved this kind of heritage had no easy way in. HeritageXplore is her answer to that. A platform built for Britain's independent historic houses - making it easier to discover them, experience them, and learn why they deserve to be understood, valued and sustained.
What we do
We bring together independently owned historic houses from across Britain and create ways for people to connect with them - from first visit to something far more immersive. There are three ways to explore with us: Member Houses Our growing collection of independently owned historic houses - open to visit, explore, and experience. Browse what's on, find events happening near you, and step inside places you might never have found otherwise. No membership required. HeritageXplore Club A new kind of heritage membership built around access, experience, and enduring value. Each month, members receive a curated ‘collection’ of the best stays, events, and experiences across our network - with special member pricing, early access, and without the effort of finding them yourself. This is for those who want to go deeper and be immersed in the most well preserved and cared for country and historic estates in the country.
HeritageXplore Luxe offers bespoke, multi-day journeys three times a year through Britain’s most exceptional private estates. Hosted by Violet, alongside renowned antiquarian Steven Moore, each experience is intimate and carefully considered - with guests staying within the houses themselves and enjoying rare access to both the places and the people who shape them. Designed for those who want to experience these houses as very few ever do. Journeys are offered on a set departure basis, with guests joining as individuals, couples or friends rather than through bespoke, tailor-made travel. Dates are fixed each year and anchored around key cultural moments such as the Chelsea Flower Show, Ascot and the Edinburgh Fringe.
Why these houses matter
These are not museums - they are ever-evolving places: and that is precisely what makes them extraordinary. Within them, you'll find perspectives that slow you down and shift the way you see things. Art, architecture, and stories that connect us to another time - and, a sense of where we come from, and what endures. By choosing to visit, stay, and experience them, you play a part in their future. Not just preserving them, but ensuring they remain lived in, understood, and passed on - for generations to come.
The Team
HeritageXplore is a small team with a clear belief: that Britain's independent historic houses deserve to be seen, experienced, and understood in new ways. We work closely with the families and teams who care for these places - building relationships, curating experiences, and opening doors that might otherwise stay closed.
Violet Garnock
FounderViolet grew up at Belvoir Castle, giving her a rare and genuine understanding of Britain's independent heritage landscape. Before founding HeritageXplore, she built her own marketing agency and co-created the Duchess podcast with her mother, the Duchess of Rutland - later launching Hidden Heritage, her own podcast on Britain's historic houses. HeritageXplore brings these threads together: connecting people more directly with the houses, the stories, and the people who call them home.
Isabella Fish
Marketing & PartnershipsIsabella joined HeritageXplore at the start of 2025, bringing experience from Condé Nast and a background spanning luxury, culture, and storytelling-led campaigns. She leads the platform's marketing and partnerships - translating the stories of these houses for modern audiences and building the relationships that bring new experiences to life.
Callum Brown
Chief Technology OfficerCallum oversees HeritageXplore's platform and technical vision. Previously a founder himself, he brings hands-on experience of building and scaling a digital product from the ground up - and is focused on making the discovery and booking of heritage experiences as seamless and intuitive as possible.
Rosalie Gadoua
InternRosalie is a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews and supports Isabella and Violet across marketing, partnerships, and content. She works closely with HeritageXplore's houses, helping to bring their stories to new audiences.
Abiola Renee
Book Club LeadAbiola leads the HeritageXplore Book Club - a growing global community of readers united by a love of history, storytelling, and place. Under her direction, the club has welcomed celebrated voices including Lady Anne Glenconner, Hugo Vickers, and Sean Lusk, creating conversations that bring literature and heritage vividly together.
Steven Moore
HeritageXplore Luxe Host & AntiquarianSteven leads HeritageXplore Luxe experiences alongside Violet, bringing encyclopedic knowledge of antiques, art, and historical objects to every journey. Widely known for his appearances on Antiques Roadshow and a significant global following, he is one of the UK's most respected antiquarians - and a storyteller who brings these houses and their collections to life in ways few others can.