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Stanway House, deep in the heart of the Cotswolds, but away from many obvious tourist centres, is a most remarkable place. Only two families have lived here since the 8th century. The current Lord Niedpath is a direct descendant of the Tracy and Charteris branches of the family. They bought the estate in the late 16th century from the abbots of Tewkesbury, who had owned it since about 800. Most of the buildings we see now were completed by 1680 but work began on them in the 1640s.

The house is built in a wonderful yellow Cotswold stone, with a magnificent gatehouse and great hall. Much of the furniture, which is still used by the family, dates back to when the house was first built. There is a curious sprung chair that was designed for indoor riding on rainy days, and an enormously long refectory table, made from one huge oak plank, which was almost certainly made specially for the house. There is also a unique pair of Chinese Chippendale daybeds made in 1760 and an Elizabethan shuffle board (a board game), also almost certainly original to the house.

Manorial courts were held in the house until 1800, and even today tenants from the village pay their rents each quarter using a specially built circular table. The gatehouse, which is magnificent and was completed in 1630, is positioned at right angles to the house, an odd arrangement that gives it a distinctive, almost eccentric air. The grounds boast the tallest fountain in Britain.

SECRETS

STANWAY HOUSE, Stanway, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5PQ (stanwayfountain.co.uk/index.html). 01386 584469. Open: House Jun, Jul & Aug, Tues & Thurs 14.00–17.00. Price: adult £7, child £2, family £15.

While you’re there

Visit GREAT BARRINGTON, a lovely quiet village on the river Windrush.

Secret place to stay

THE FOX INN, Great Barrington (foxinnbarrington.com). A delightful, quiet, old-fashioned place right on the river.

The elegant drawing room in Stanway House.