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Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton
Win a free print copy of this book!
28 days and 09:20:17
5 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Step inside Mapperton with Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich as she reveals the realities of running an English country estate and the secrets hidden behind its historic doors.
What’s it really like to live in Britain’s finest manor house? In 2016, Julie and her husband Luke Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, took on the stewardship of Mapperton and its 1,900-acre gardens and wildlands. Since then, they’ve been restoring rooms, reviving forgotten relics, welcoming visitors, launching a rewilding project and sharing it all with millions on their popular YouTube channels, @MappertonLive and @AmericanCountess.
Chicago-born Julie brings the past to life as she chronicles the highs and lows of estate living through the seasons. She delves deep into the extraordinary history of Mapperton and the Montagu family – from rediscovered paintings and antique gowns to long-lost diaries – and finds a kindred spirit in Gilded Age heiress Alberta Montagu, 9th Countess of Sandwich.
Secrets of an English Country House offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at a working estate – a celebration of its beauty, its history and the determination it takes to keep an English country house thriving in the modern world.
Part memoir, part social history and part country‑house chronicle, this is an essential read for anyone fascinated by Britain’s historic houses, the families who care for them and the realities of preserving heritage in the modern age.
What’s it really like to live in Britain’s finest manor house? In 2016, Julie and her husband Luke Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, took on the stewardship of Mapperton and its 1,900-acre gardens and wildlands. Since then, they’ve been restoring rooms, reviving forgotten relics, welcoming visitors, launching a rewilding project and sharing it all with millions on their popular YouTube channels, @MappertonLive and @AmericanCountess.
Chicago-born Julie brings the past to life as she chronicles the highs and lows of estate living through the seasons. She delves deep into the extraordinary history of Mapperton and the Montagu family – from rediscovered paintings and antique gowns to long-lost diaries – and finds a kindred spirit in Gilded Age heiress Alberta Montagu, 9th Countess of Sandwich.
Secrets of an English Country House offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at a working estate – a celebration of its beauty, its history and the determination it takes to keep an English country house thriving in the modern world.
Part memoir, part social history and part country‑house chronicle, this is an essential read for anyone fascinated by Britain’s historic houses, the families who care for them and the realities of preserving heritage in the modern age.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2026
Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich, together with her husband, Luke, breathed new life into Mapperton House with their YouTube channels. If you have at all seen them, you know the great love they have for Mapperton. Julie's own research and care of the estate has brought this book into our hands. It is an ultimate love letter to the Sandwich country house.
The book is full of beautiful images. There are sections for each of the seasons of the year. There are chapters with in depth looks at the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who created an iconic lunch tradition, Louisa Montagu, whose beautiful drawings lay undisturbed in a writing desk until Julie found them, and, of course, Alberta Sturges, the Gilded Age heiress who came to England and who is Julie's soul sister. If you know of Julie, you've heard her mention Alberta's name.
Not only does the book contain photos of the house interiors and the treasures contained within, there are beautiful images of the estate grounds, the rewilding projects, and the animals which call the estate home. Also, there are dedicated sections where Julie has conversations with the past, present, and future of Mapperton: her mother-in-law, her husband, and her son.
This is truly a job well-done, the ultimate love letter to a country house. Anyone who loves country house studies will enjoy this. It's a stunning, visual treat.
The book is full of beautiful images. There are sections for each of the seasons of the year. There are chapters with in depth looks at the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who created an iconic lunch tradition, Louisa Montagu, whose beautiful drawings lay undisturbed in a writing desk until Julie found them, and, of course, Alberta Sturges, the Gilded Age heiress who came to England and who is Julie's soul sister. If you know of Julie, you've heard her mention Alberta's name.
Not only does the book contain photos of the house interiors and the treasures contained within, there are beautiful images of the estate grounds, the rewilding projects, and the animals which call the estate home. Also, there are dedicated sections where Julie has conversations with the past, present, and future of Mapperton: her mother-in-law, her husband, and her son.
This is truly a job well-done, the ultimate love letter to a country house. Anyone who loves country house studies will enjoy this. It's a stunning, visual treat.
September 22, 2026
Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton is such a beautiful book, both in its content and its design. The cover is especially lovely, with beautiful golden details that catch the light and give the book a really special feel.
I really enjoyed the introduction to Mapperton at the beginning of the book. The map of the estate is such a lovely detail, and it immediately gives you a better sense of the house, the gardens and the surrounding landscape. I also loved learning more about the history of Mapperton and the Montagu family, and the family tree was such a nice addition.
The book is divided into the four seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, which I really enjoyed. Throughout the year, you learn more about the house, gardens, family history, collections, archives and life on the estate, with beautiful photography and lovely writing throughout. I particularly liked how it gives you a real sense of what it is like to look after and live in a historic English country house today.
A beautiful book to have on your coffee table, especially if you love English country houses, gardens and history. I really enjoyed looking through it and discovering more about Mapperton and the story behind it.
I really enjoyed the introduction to Mapperton at the beginning of the book. The map of the estate is such a lovely detail, and it immediately gives you a better sense of the house, the gardens and the surrounding landscape. I also loved learning more about the history of Mapperton and the Montagu family, and the family tree was such a nice addition.
The book is divided into the four seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, which I really enjoyed. Throughout the year, you learn more about the house, gardens, family history, collections, archives and life on the estate, with beautiful photography and lovely writing throughout. I particularly liked how it gives you a real sense of what it is like to look after and live in a historic English country house today.
A beautiful book to have on your coffee table, especially if you love English country houses, gardens and history. I really enjoyed looking through it and discovering more about Mapperton and the story behind it.
September 24, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful book! I don't know why it surprised me, but the photography was stunning. I knew Mapperton was lovely but this book showcased the land, house, and people to the very best. And the stories were so engaging!
One of my favorite parts were the portraits. Honestly, I gasped when I saw Alberta by McEvoy. Singer-Sargent and Guion are wonderful painters, but McEvoy's painting of Alberta was amazing!
It is my dream, in the next year or so, to make the trek across the pond to see this spectacular place in person. Last year, my daughter and I saw Cliveden. (Gorgeous!) And so my 'must go see' list is growing....Blenheim Palace, Sissinghurst, and now Mapperton!!!
One of my favorite parts were the portraits. Honestly, I gasped when I saw Alberta by McEvoy. Singer-Sargent and Guion are wonderful painters, but McEvoy's painting of Alberta was amazing!
It is my dream, in the next year or so, to make the trek across the pond to see this spectacular place in person. Last year, my daughter and I saw Cliveden. (Gorgeous!) And so my 'must go see' list is growing....Blenheim Palace, Sissinghurst, and now Mapperton!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews