T+L Reports: Inside England's Private Homes

The gates are being thrown open at four of England's most alluring historic private residences. The 17th-century Barnsley House (Barnsley, Gloucestershire; 44-1285/740-000; www.barnsleyhouse.com; doubles from $475) was recently the dwelling of Rosemary Verey, the late author and landscape architect (her clients included Elton John and Prince Charles). Now it has been transformed into a nine-room hotel, with a restaurant overseen by chef Graham Grafton (formerly of the Ivy in London). • The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire have dusted off the two-room hunting tower created in1582 by Robert Smythson on their estate Chatsworth (Bakewell, Derbyshire; 44-1246/ 565-379; www.chatsworth.org; three nights from $1,125). • Charles Rennie Mackintosh remodeled only one structure outside his native Scotland, 78 Derngate (78-82 Derngate, Northampton; 44-1604/603-407; www.78derngate.org.uk); the 1820 row house, made over in 1917, now offers guided tours. • Anyone intrigued by England's early foray into Modernism will adore the Homewood (Surrey; 44-1372/47-1144), designed by Patrick Gwynne in 1938. Tours are so popular, they're already sold out through September.
— Lucie Young