Hughenden Manor is the former home of the statesman Benjamin Disraeli. It was also the base for a secret map-making operation during the Second World War. The impressive red brick Victorian house is surrounded by 1,500 acres of park and woodlands, which are perfect for enjoying on a hot summer's day.
The National Trust has decorated the Disraeli home as it might have looked at the time of occupation. The bold red interior houses a collection of memorabilia including family portraits, furnishings, and a library containing a selection of Disraeli's novels. The cellar hides a (recreated) dark room in the ice house, used as a secret map-making base.
For someone so keen on minimalist interiors, it surprised me how much I enjoyed the dramatic style of the Hughenden Manor. Green palms stood out against the red walls, and gold frames popped against patterned wallpaper; furniture clashed with the carpet and ornaments fought for space on mantlepieces. I only wish we'd had a little more time to enjoy the snoop around.