From historic castles to heritage homes, the interiors of many of these beautiful buildings range from opulent to nodding back to a time gone by.
Check out these seven spectacular stately homes across Northern Ireland:
5. Ballywalter Park, Newtownards
This stunning mansion house is the home of Lord and Lady Dunleath, maintained by the Dunleath family for 170 years. The house was built by famous architect Sir Charles Lanyon who was known for building various buildings and bridges throughout Northern Ireland from Queen’s University and the palm house at Botanic Gardens to Crumlin Road Gaol. If you're a film enthusiast, Ballywalter Park has been associated with Northern Ireland Screen and has been used as a filming location for Christopher & His Kind, The Undisclosed, Hitler On Trial, Wodehouse in Exile, The Wiper Times and 37 Days. It should be noted that Ballywalter Park isn’t open to the public on a daily basis but group tours can be booked by phone or email. The tours themselves are delivered personally by Lord and Lady Dunleath and they will tailor the tour for a particular area of interest. For more information, go to ballywalterpark.com
6. The Argory, Dungannon
The Argory, a beautiful Irish Gentry house surrounded by 320 acre wooden riverside estate, was built from Caledon Stone and Navan limestone foundations back in the 1820s. Previously owned by the MacGeough Bond family, the house has remained intact and visitors can explore the second hand bookshop, the adventure playground and the Courtyard Cafe. You can view The Argory house from 12pm to 4pm, visit the cafe between 11pm to 4:30pm and explore the bookshop and grounds between 11pm and 5pm. For more information, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/the-argory
7. Castle Coole, Enniskillen
Built in the 1790s and still impressing its visitors today, this extraordinary 18th Century mansion is one of Ireland’s finest neoclassical houses and home to the Earls of Belmore. First explore The Grand Yard, originally home to the family's horses, the candle factory, laundry area and servants accommodation quarters in 1817, visitors can then visit the Ice House, used for food storage and Pump House which was used to carry water from Lough coole. Finish the day by browsing the bookshop and getting a cuppa. The grounds at Castle Coole can be explored from 10am to 6pm and Castle Coole house, tea room and bookshop are open from 11am to 5pm. For more information, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-coole