Ham House 2012

A National Trust-owned Stuart house and grounds. Built in 1610 for one of James I's courtiers, Thomas Vavasour, and enlarged at a time when it was at the heart of Restoration court life and intrigue, Ham House is notable for its lavish interiors and spectacular collections of fine furniture, textiles and paintings, which include rococo mirrors and ornate tapestries. The restored, seventeenth-century formal gardens of Ham house also attract attention: there's a lovely trellised cherry garden and lavender parterres. The tearoom in the old orangery turns out historic dishes (lavender syllabub, for instance), using ingredients from the kitchen gardens.