A tale of transformation

Three stellar estates in Wales and Staffordshire show how careful restoration is always worth the effort

What do an enigmatic Caped Crusader, a sopping-wet Mr Darcy and Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell have in common? Believe it or not, British country houses, says Ben Lerwill, as he set-jets around the countryside

The garden of Knowle House, East Sussex George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting, discovers George Plumptre

Taking on a Jacobean hunting lodge with a leaky roof and a huge repair bill required dedication and ingenuity in equal measure. Luckily, Georgie Dunn saw beyond these problems and devised a plan to create a comfortable home for her family, while starting her own business

Wearing its heritage on its sleeve, this medieval castle has lived many lives, including a fortified castle, a Jacobean mansion and a comfortable Victorian family home

Three blooming properties in Kent showcase the original garden of England