28 Amazing Homes of the Dukes of Great Britain

Chatsworth House, England's favorite country house. Image: Wikimedia.

The dukes of the United Kingdom are a rare species. After all, of the 800 hereditary titles that exist today, only 24 of them are dukedoms and it is highly unlikely that  Queen Elizabeth II or her successors would one day create a non-royal dukedom. Once upon  a time, dukes are known for their political might, but today, the only remaining vestige of glory they have, aside from their name and pedigree, is their financial clout. A few of them, though, barely have a fortune to call their own. Still many of them still enjoy the opulent lifestyles their predecessors were accustomed to—complete with servants and all the conveniences afforded to the highest-ranking peer of the realm. Take a peek at the lives of these dukes by visiting these 28 imposing homes that they own.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

The largest inhabited castle in the world after Windsor castle, Alnwick is the seat of the dukes of Northumberland although the family only occupy a part of it.

Arundel Castle, West Sussex

The seat of the dukes of Norfolk, Queen Victoria once stayed in the castle, calling it “beautiful.” It is one of the first medieval fortresses to be modernized.

Badminton House, Gloucestershire

The principal seat of the dukes of Beaufort, the house was home to Queen Mary during World War II, much to the inconvenience of her niece, the Duchess of Beaufort.

Baronscourt, Newtownstewart

Home of the dukes of Abercorn, the current house was built between 1779 and 1781. It boasts of a 100-year-old, 18-hole golf course.

Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire

Home to the dukes of Rutland, the castle is a popular location for movies and television shows, including Little Lord Fauntleroy, The da Vinci Code, Young Sherlock Holmes, and The Young Victoria.

Berry Pomeroy Castle, South Devon

 The castle, one of the homes of the dukes of Somerset, became a celebrated example of the “picturesque,” which became famous in the 19th century.

Blair Castle, Perthshire

The seat of the chief of Clan Murray, the dukes of Atholl. The present duke, however, does not occupy the castle and lives in South Africa. The castle provides the garrison for the Atholl Highlanders, the duke’s private army, the only legal private army in Europe.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

This monumental palace was a gift of the nation to the duke of Marlborough for his triumph during the War of Spanish Succession. It is the only non-royal palace in the United Kingdom. American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt (who married the 9th Duke of Marlborough) brought in millions of dollars as her dowry, which were used to save the palace from decline.

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

A country home for the dukes of Buccleuch, the house is known as the English Versailles, thanks to its French chateau exterior.

Bowhill House, Scottish Borders

One of the family seats of the dukes of Buccleuch, the stately home is where some of the world's greatest private art collections can be found.

Bradley House, Wiltshire

This plain country house with a few notable architectural features is the seat of the dukes of Somerset.

Carlton Towers, North Yorkshire

Officially one of the residences of the dukes of Norfolk. Since 1991, the 18th duke’s younger brother, Lord Gerald Fitzalan-Howard, lives and manages the estate, which has become famous as a wedding and events venue.  

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Home of the dukes of Devonshire, the house is well-regarded for its parks, as well as its priceless paintings, books and artifacts.

Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway

Home of the dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry, the so-called “Pink Palace” houses part of the family’s prized art collection, including works of Rembrandt and da Vinci.

Eaton Hall, Cheshire

 Eaton Hall is the official residence of the dukes of Westminster. The original Eaton hall, built in the 17th century, was demolished in the 1960s. A new house was built and recased in the 1980s to look like a French chateau.

Euston Hall, Thetford

The house is home to the dukes of Grafton, descendants of King Charles II and his mistress Barbara Villiers. The house boasts of a fine art collection, the most notable of which was the one painted by Canaletto.

Floors Castle, Roxburghshire

Home of the dukes of Roxburghe, American heiress Mary Goelet, who married into the family, brought with her from her Long Island home a collection of Gobelins tapestries that were added into the ballroom in the 1930s.

Goodwood House, West Sussex

The house and the estate owned by the dukes of Richmond, Gordon and Lennox are famous for the racing events held here, including the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival, and Glorious Goodwood among others.

Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

One of the seats of the dukes of Rutland, the house was once described as  "the most complete and most interesting house of [its] period." The house was also mentioned in a number of literary and stage works.

Inveraray Castle, Argyll

The castle is the seat of the chief of the Clan Campbell, the duke of Argyll. Struck by fire in the 1970s, the Castle was restored afterwards.

Kimbolton Castle, Cambridgeshire

Former home of the dukes of Manchester, the castle-turned-stately-home was the final residence of Catherine of Aragon. It was sold by the 10th duke in 1950.

Kinnaird Castle, Brechin

The seats of the dukes of Fife (the last non-royal dukedom to be created for Earl Fife who married Louise, Princess Royal), the castle was remodeled during the Victorian era. Razed by fire in the 1920s, the castle was eventually rebuilt.

Lennoxlove House, East Lothian

Famous for its 15th century tower, once known as Lethington Castle. The house is known for priceless works of art.

Mertoun House, St. Boswells

 Mertoun House is the home of the duke of Sutherland.

Stratfield Saye House, Hampshire

 Formerly a manor house, it was enlarged in the 17th century , purchased by the nation and gifted to the duke of Wellington in 1817.

Syon House, London

The London residence of the dukes of Thumberland, famed for its eclectic interior.

Tandragee Castle, Northern Ireland

The Irish home of the dukes of Manchester until sold by the 10th Duke in the 1950s. It now houses the offices of Tayto potato crisp factory.

Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire

 The family home of the dukes of Bedford, the estate is a favorite destination for its landscape gardens, safari park, and visitor center. The family’s art collection is also among the country’s finest. 

All images were taken from Wikipedia/Wikimedia and other sites that allow images to be reused.