In this episode, Julie Montagu, American Countess, sits down with Sarah Troughton, the custodian of Blair Castle, to explore the fascinating history, royal connections, and enduring legacy of this iconic Scottish stronghold.

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Blair Castle has stood for over 750 years, serving as the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to the Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe. With its ties to Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria, the castle is steeped in royal intrigue and historical drama.

Julie and Sarah discuss what it means to preserve and protect such an extraordinary estate, the challenges of balancing tradition with modern conservation, and the role of the Atholl family in shaping Scotland’s history. They also delve into how Blair Castle has adapted through the centuries, from its medieval roots to its role as a beloved Highland destinationtoday.

🎧 Listen now on:

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts

Join this captivating conversation for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Scotland’s most storied and majestic castles!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julie Montagu, American Countess, sits down with Nicholas and Victoria Howard, custodians of the magnificent Castle Howard, to explore the realities of living in and preserving one of Britain’s most iconic stately homes. They discuss the challenges and responsibilities of heritage stewardship, how they navigated the unprecedented period of lockdown, and their vision for ensuring Castle Howard’s legacy for future generations.

With an architectural history spanning over a century—from John Vanbrugh’s bold Baroque designs to the later Palladian influences—Castle Howard remains an extraordinary testament to Britain’s aristocratic past. This in-depth conversation delves into the triumphs and trials of maintaining such a historic estate, offering a rare glimpse into life behind the grand façade.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Defines a Manor House? A Conversation at Owlpen Manor

In this episode of Secrets of Britain’s Historic Houses, Julie Montagu, American Countess, visits the enchanting Owlpen Manor in the Cotswolds to sit down with Sir Nicholas Mander, Lady Karin Mander, and Hugo Mander, the dedicated custodians of this Tudor manor house with a story as rich as its architecture.

Together, they explore the fundamental question: What truly makes a manor house a Manor House? From its medieval origins to its role in British society, this discussion uncovers the architectural features, historical significance, and cultural impact that distinguish manor houses from castles and country estates.

Owlpen Manor, dating from 1450–1616, is a remarkable example of Tudor and Jacobean craftsmanship, beautifully restored in 1926 after nearly a century of neglect. Nestled in a picturesque valley, it boasts a Tudor Great Hall (1523), a Jacobean Solar Parlour (1616), and rare painted cloth wall-hangings that offer a rare glimpse into 18th-century interiors. The Manders also share insights into the manor’s revival through the Arts and Crafts movement and its continued legacy under their stewardship.

👉 Listen now to discover:

✔️ What defines a true manor house

✔️ The Tudor, Jacobean, and Georgian elements of Owlpen Manor

✔️ How this historic home was rescued from ruin

✔️ The role of the Arts and Crafts movement in its restoration

✔️ The joys and challenges of being a modern-day custodian of a manor house

🎧 Watch on YouTube & listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Julie Montagu, American Viscountess, for an intimate conversation with Rodrica and Jack Straker, the custodians of Burton Constable Hall, a magnificent yet often overlooked country house set in the flat plains of East Yorkshire.

For Rodrica, Burton Constable isn’t just a historic house—it was her childhood home, a magical yet eccentric place filled with hidden history. But for her father, John Chichester-Constable, who inherited the estate in 1963, it was a monumental challenge. Left in near ruin after wartime requisition, with bomb damage and a failing roof, the house was on the brink of collapse.

Determined to save it, he worked tirelessly with English Heritage to embark on an ambitious restoration, a legacy that continues today under the care of the Burton Constable Foundation.

Now, Rodrica and Jack share what it’s like to live in and care for this remarkable estate, from its Elizabethan origins and 18th-century refinements by Capability Brown and James Wyatt to the ongoing challenges of maintaining a home with over 30 rooms open to the public.

🎧 Tune in now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain’s most fascinating historic houses! #Podcast #JulieMontagu #AmericanViscountess

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Julie Montagu, American Viscountess, as I visit Hugh and Lara Crossley, Lord and Lady Somerleyton, for a fascinating conversation at Somerleyton Hall—one of the finest Victorian stately homes in the country.

With its Jacobean origins transformed into a breathtaking Italianate masterpiece by Prince Albert’s star sculptor John Thomas, Somerleyton Hall is steeped in history. The Clock Tower by Vulliamy even competed to be Britain’s most famous landmark—losing out to what is now Big Ben!

Beyond its grand façade, this estate holds nearly 900 years of history, from powerful past owners to its role as a filming location for The Crown, where it stood in for Sandringham during Season 4’s dramatic retelling of Charles and Diana’s turbulent relationship.

Join me as I sit down with Lord and Lady Somerleyton to discuss what it takes to preserve and sustain such an extraordinary estate in the modern world.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube! #Podcast #JulieMontagu #AmericanViscountess #SomerleytonHall #StatelyHomes #TheCrownNetflix #HistoricHouses

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of *Secrets of Britain’s Historic Houses*, I sit down with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill in the private apartments at Blenheim Palace to explore the extraordinary life of her great-grandmother, Consuelo Vanderbilt. From her opulent beginnings as a Gilded Age heiress to her transformative years as Duchess of Marlborough, we delve into family stories, fascinating insights, and the enduring legacy of one of history’s most iconic American heiresses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please support the production of American Viscountess and in particular our high production quality of the Historic Houses by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/americanviscountess

Here you'll received all vlogs and Historic House episodes early and ad-free plus behind-the-scenes videos, American Viscountess merchandise and much more! We can’t make these important Historic House episodes without the support of our patrons.

If you love castles and manors and stately homes get the latest over at my bi-monthly American Viscountess newsletter: https://julie-montagu-ltd.ck.page/9ab3679fb6

Join the UK's best membership scheme and help preserve Britain's independent heritage (international membership available too!) at https://www.historichouses.org/international/ and use the code AVTV05 to receive £5 off.

Follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes content: https://www.instagram.com/juliemontagu and https://www.instagram.com/americanviscountess

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

a VERY special episode – a visit to the parish church in Cambridgeshire were generations of the Montagu family have been laid to rest. Here I uncover a family tragedy which leads me to the archives and a meeting with my Father-in-law, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, to try and solve a 100 year mystery!

Please support the production of American Viscountess and in particular our high production quality of the Historic Houses by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/americanviscountess

Here you'll received all vlogs and Historic House episodes early and ad-free plus behind-the-scenes videos, American Viscountess merchandise and much more! We can’t make these important Historic House episodes without the support of our patrons.

If you love castles and manors and stately homes get the latest over at my bi-monthly American Viscountess newsletter: https://julie-montagu-ltd.ck.page/9ab3679fb6

Join the UK's best membership scheme and help preserve Britain's independent heritage (international membership available too!) at https://www.historichouses.org/international/ and use the code AVTV05 to receive £5 off.

Follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes content: https://www.instagram.com/juliemontagu and https://www.instagram.com/americanviscountess

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Athelhampton House in Dorset is the focus of this NEW episode of historic house visits here on the American Viscountess channel. Living in and maintaining these homes is both a wonderful privilege and an enormous challenge. And one of the greatest tasks every house owner faces is heating a centuries old building in a sustainable and economical way. Giles Keating at Athelhampton has faced this challenge in a totally pioneering and ingenious way!

Join me as I visit Athelhampton House - the first solar powered Manor House in England.

To learn more about Athelhampton: https://www.athelhampton.com

Please support the production of American Viscountess and in particular our high production quality of the Historic Houses by becoming a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/americanviscountess

Here you'll received all vlogs and Historic House episodes early and ad-free plus behind-the-scenes videos, American Viscountess merchandise and much more! We can’t make these important Historic House episodes without the support of our patrons.

If you love castles and manors and stately homes get the latest over at my bi-monthly American Viscountess newsletter: https://julie-montagu-ltd.ck.page/9ab3679fb6

Join the UK's best membership scheme and help preserve Britain's independent heritage (international membership available too!) at https://www.historichouses.org/international/ and use the code AVTV05 to receive £5 off.

Follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes content: https://www.instagram.com/juliemontagu and https://www.instagram.com/americanviscountess

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.