An American Aristocrat’s Guide to Great Estates

7th February, 2020

Sprawling estates and magnificent castles dot Britain’s landscape, passed down from one aristocratic heir or heiress to the next. But life in a stately home isn’t quite the fairy tale it’s made out to be. Join Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke as she ventures through some of the most storied and remarkable estates in Great Britain. This is an all-access look at grand residences and the families who keep their histories alive.

Airing on the Smithsonian Channel On the 11th February Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke travels to Boughton House in Northamptonshire, one of the most well-preserved seventeenth century stately homes in the UK.

Boughton House is owned by Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury – a distant relative of Julie’s family. This connection allows her to learn more about the Montagu family history, ahead of giving public tours for the first time at her own family estate – Mapperton in Dorset. During her stay, Julie discovers how the house was built to encourage a visit from King William III in 1695, and learns how the Montagu dynasty was elevated when one of her ancestors purchased a noble title from the crown in 1621.

Along the way, Julie investigates how Boughton operates today; out on the estate, it’s lambing season and Julie joins shepherd, Mick Johnson, to check on the new arrivals; she learns the ancient craft of thatching from Master thatcher, Nick Shields, who maintains the picture-perfect thatched cottages across the Boughton estate. Julie follows In the footsteps of the 2nd Duke, to learn how to dance a minuet.

On the final day of her visit to Boughton, Julie’s husband, Luke, Viscount Hinchingbrooke and her sister-in-law, Lady Jemima Montagu arrive for a family supper hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch.

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