Some of my Favorite

National Trust Properties

Living in England had one particular advantage I’ll always cherish: history memberships.

With the National Trust membership, I could spend my weekends wandering through sprawling estates, strolling through manicured gardens, and stepping inside rooms where centuries of stories still linger in the air.

These historic homes played a huge role in shaping my imagination and writing style, especially my Regency romance novels. Today, I want to share some of my favorite National Trust properties and why they continue to inspire me. There are so many to explore, so make sure if you are planning a trip or looking for new activities, register for a National Trust membership.

Basildon Park & Pangbourne, Berkshire

Basildon Park holds a special place in my heart because it directly inspired parts of my second novel, A Ball at Basildon Park. This Palladian mansion, restored in the 1950s by Lord and Lady Iliffe, feels both elegant and inviting. It is filled with soft light, restored staircases, and the sense of a lived-in home rather than a museum.

Nearby Pangbourne, with its charming village backdrop and riverside tranquility, also played into my storytelling of A Chemistry at Cross Keys and Lily. Every visit reminded me how Regency characters might have moved through similar landscapes: gossiping in drawing rooms, whispering in gardens, or plotting mischief by the riverbank.

Basildon Park National Trust Website

Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire

Hanbury Hall National Trust Website

Hanbury Hall is vibrant, theatrical, and bursting with personality. From its baroque interiors to its formal gardens, everything about it feels dramatic. I always imagined high-stakes conversations happening under its painted ceilings or a Regency couple stealing a moment in the parterre.

Its character-filled rooms influenced how I describe ballrooms and estate interiors across multiple novels.

Ightham Mote, Kent

Stepping into Ightham Mote is like stepping into a medieval painting. Moats, timber-framed walls, hidden corners, and the unmistakable feeling that time hasn’t quite caught up to the present.

While not strictly Regency in style, the atmosphere of mystery and seclusion often inspires the more secretive scenes in my books—letters exchanged in shadows, unexpected meetings, or quiet reflections away from society.

Igtham Mote National Trust Website

Osterley Park, London

Osterly Park National Trust Website

Osterley Park is where grandeur meets serenity. The house, redesigned by Robert Adam, is a masterpiece of classical elegance, featuring clean lines, bold colors, and beautifully restored rooms that feel alive with history.

Every time I visited (a quick ride by train), I walked away buzzing with ideas for architectural descriptions, character entrances, or stately gatherings. Osterley offers a glimpse of aristocratic refinement that any Regency setting can draw from.

Petworth Park, West Sussex

Petworth is art, opulence, and open landscape rolled into one. Inside: Turner paintings, carved fireplaces, and endless treasures. Outside: one of the most breathtaking deer parks in England.

Petworth’s artistic roots heavily influenced A Diversion at Dyrham Park (Book 4), especially my depictions of manor interiors and character backstories tied to art and heritage.

Petworth Park National Trust Website

Red House, London

Red House National Trust Website

Red House is the odd one out—Victorian rather than Georgian—but its craftsmanship and cozy intimacy left an impression on me. Designed by William Morris, it celebrates simplicity, handmade beauty, and artistic expression.

While not Regency, the philosophy behind Red House has seeped into how I write home spaces, especially those belonging to quieter or more introspective characters. Also, there is a secret artwork found in this house that inspired one of my scenes.

How These Places Shaped My Books

Many of the scenes in my novels draw directly from these visits—sometimes consciously, sometimes instinctively.

Basildon Park inspired the setting and tone of A Ball at Basildon Park
Petworth’s artistic heritage helped shape the world of An Affair at Apsley House as well as upcoming novels
The riverside quiet of Pangbourne influenced the emotional heartbeat of A Chemistry at Cross Keys
The charm of village life helped bring Lily, my companion novella, to life

I believe physical places carry their own stories, and as a writer, I love weaving those real moments into my fictional worlds. If you’ve enjoyed my books (or if you’re discovering them now), I hope you’ll see these estates in a new light when you visit them.