Rainy Day? Here Are 7 Historic Houses Which Are Just As Beautiful Inside

Let’s face it: British weather doesn’t always take our plans into consideration. But that doesn’t mean your day out at a historic house needs to be scrapped. From the most incredible gilded ceilings to roaring fireplaces and prolific libraries, these historic houses are just as impressive on the inside as they are from the grounds. So when the drizzle descends, here are seven heritage gems that prove grey skies can still mean golden days out.

1. Holkham Hall, Norfolk

Best for: Classical archiecture, italianate glamour and treasure-filled interiors

Step into a slice of 18th-century Venice on the Norfolk coast. Holkham’s Marble Hall is a jaw-dropping tribute to classical architecture – all columns, sweeping staircases, and a coffered ceiling worthy of the Roman Pantheon. Wander through opulent drawing rooms, discover priceless paintings in the Picture Gallery, and get cosy with a coffee in the Courtyard Café. Rain? What rain?

Where: Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Open: Sunday to Thursday
Don’t miss: The Old Kitchen Tearoom – especially when it’s pouring
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2. Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

Best for: Escape out of the storm and into interior heaven

Eastnor’s interiors are just as dramatic its defensive exterior. For interior design aficionados, it’s a masterclass in Gothic Revival — with soaring ceilings, intricate stencilling, and a perfectly curated sense of drama... not to forget its recent collaboration with the much esteemed firm Watts 1874. Ideal for ducking inside and losing yourself in a more romantic world, complete with flickering candelabras and antique chandeliers.

Where: Ledbury, Herefordshire
Open: Sundays (and select dates)
Don’t miss: The Gothic Drawing Room for thunderstorm-watching
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5. Layer Marney Tower, Essex

Best for: Towering Tudor beauty with charm to spare

England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse offers a different kind of rainy day refuge. The climb to the top is worth it for the panoramic views, but stay inside and you’ll be rewarded with richly carved panelling, an atmospheric chapel, and friendly owners who often pop up to share the house’s stories.

Where: Colchester, Essex
Open: Sundays and Mondays (May onwards)
Don’t miss: Tea and cake in the atmospheric tea room
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6. Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire

Best for: Bridgerton sets and storytelling tours

Grimsthorpe’s interior is grand without being stuffy – a lived-in castle with antique-filled rooms, secret passageways, and a legendary tour guide who brings centuries of stories to life. Don’t let the rain keep you away: this is a house where you’ll want to linger.

Where: Bourne, Lincolnshire
Open: Sundays to Thursdays
Don’t miss: The State Dining Room and Vanbrugh’s baroque facade
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7. Blair Castle, Scotland

Best for: Quintessentially Scottish highland drama 

From Bonnie Prince Charlie to Queen Victoria, Blair Castle has hosted some of history’s biggest names. Inside, its rooms are rich with heritage: stags’ heads line the walls, antique weapons hang above the doors, and tartan blankets warm the beds. It's a full-blown Scottish castle experience, rain and all.

Where: Pitlochry, Perthshire
Open: Daily from March to October
Don’t miss: The ballroom with its 175 pairs of antlers
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So next time the weather threatens your weekend plans, take it as a sign to dive indoors. These houses are rain proof, and made for lingering. Pack your umbrella, charge your camera, and step into centuries of beauty.