Welcome to Stately Homes

Behind-the-scenes stories from the Stately Homes of Britain.

Everything is not always what it seems behind the doors of the stately homes of Britain, and it's often the stories that the tour guide didn't tell you as you wandered in wonderment around the grand houses that are the most revealing and entertaining. In this witty and irreverent book the Seventh Earl of Bradford uncovers the stories that you won't hear from the guide. Full of first-hand tales told to Lord Bradford by his fellow peers, butlers, maids, gardeners and chauffeurs, Stately Secrets captures in brilliant, hilarious colour the real life behind the scenes - from Page 3 girls in the four-poster bedroom to the Countess surprised in her bath!

Cost: £8.99 + P & P     

Postage: £1.95 (UK)   £5.95 (Worldwide)

Delivery: Please allow 3 days for UK residents. For worldwide deliveries, please allow 10 days.

Sample Stories:

A quote from an American Lady whilst on a guided tour of Longleat House:
'Is this where Lord Bath holds his balls and dances?'

Goodwood House:
'Ah, would you drive in through that gate please, and unload the equipment through the door opposite.' 'Right, mate,' said the lorry driver, 'And who might you be, when you're about?' 'I'm The Earl of March.' 'Well mate, in that case, I'm The Earl of Bleeding April!

Burghley:
When the late Marquess of Exeter was heavily involved with the Olympic Games, he received many wonderfully addressed letters, especially from Africa. The family's favourite was one sent to 'Lord Et Cetera'.

Holkham Hall:
The 2nd Earl of Leicester was taking a stroll around the lake and encountered a young nanny with a baby in a pram. He stopped and asked her, 'And who is the father of this jolly little chap?' To which she replied, 'You are, my Lord.'

Syon House:
One American tourist at Syon was saying what a lovely position the house was in, when he paused for reflection, looked up at an aircraft flying overhead and said, 'Still, it's a pity that they built it so close to Heathrow Airport.'

Weston Park - Comment in the Visitor's book:
'Lovely house, nice guides, well preserved!'

Castle Howard:
The late George Howard - father of The Hon. Simon Howard - held many important public posts, including the chairmanship of the BBC. Like most people who have held that post, he was naturally rather well known, and one blunt local visitor to Castle Howard was heard to remark, 'Well I never, ain't life bloody marvellous, to think all this cums wit' chairmanship of BBC!'

Your copy will be signed with a personal message by Richard, Earl of Bradford.