From a secret safari park to hidden ancient ruins, the grounds of these magnificent homes have to be seen from above to discover their greatest treasures. With the advent of drone photography, we're now able to see these historic houses as never before...

Built between 1705 and 1722, Blenheim Palace is one of England's largest houses. At the end of the 19th-century, it was saved from ruin by the 9th Duke of Marlborough, Charles Spencer-Churchill, who helped shape it into what it is today. Currently home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family, the inside of the English Baroque-style manor is full of gilded state rooms and striking stonework.

There aren't many stately homes that have room for a huge lake but with 2,000 acres of land, Blenheim Palace has plenty of space. From above, the vastness of the tree-lined Great Lake can be seen. Designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown between 1768 and 1771, it was dug out by hand in a feat of extraordinary engineering. During his ten year stay at the Palace, he planted thousands of trees creating a landscape that appears natural but is actually man-made.

Created and tended to over the centuries, the formal gardens surrounding the palace are full of unexpected delights. The Upper Water Terrace boasts fountains, statues and manicured hedges. Further along is the Lower Water Terrace, which has two scaled-down models of Bernini's river god sculptures in the centre, the originals sit within the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Rome.

Hidden deep within the estate, 3,000 yew hedges make up the Marlborough Hedge Maze. It covers 1.8 acres and has two handy wooden bridges so that you can find your way out.

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Chatsworth House has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549. It stands on the east bank of the River Derwent and sits in expansive parkland backed by wooded, rocky hills. With over 300 rooms, 17 staircases and over 450 windows it's most recognised from scenes in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley.

The 105-acre garden is the product of 500 years of work and cultivation. Hidden within it is the Ring Pond, which was designed in the 17th century. The surrounding stone busts were designed by William Kent in the 18th century. The rock garden and fast-flowing strid, located next to the pond, are inspired by William Cavendish's visit to the Alps.

In the summer of 2018, a heatwave in the UK exposed the remains of an ornate 17th-century garden at Chatsworth House. The patterns of paths and flowers beds could be seen on the scorched grass, which was previously covering the striking pattern.

The formal garden design in the South Lawn was commissioned in June 1694 by the Duke from Henry Wise. The new layout was designed to provide a suitable setting to the newly completed South Front of the building, but no-one ever thought it would be revealed in the modern day.

Built between 1590 and 1597 by Elizabeth, the Countess of Shrewsbury, Hardwick Hall has remained remarkably unchanged since it was first lived in. The carved wooden furniture, elaborate plasterwork and intricate fireplaces are all reminiscent of the Tudor period. Used in scenes for the Harry Potter films as the set for the notorious Malfoy Manor, the design of the house has unusually large windows for its time, as glass was seen as a luxury.

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If you delve deeper into the grounds, you'll come across the huge herb garden. Located to the east of the castle it grows both culinary and medicinal herbs and has been in the grounds since 'Bess of Hardwick' was a resident.

One of the last things you'd expect to see next to a stately home are the ruins of another building. However, hidden in the grounds of the Hardwick estate are the remains of Old Hardwick Hall. The Countess designed two halls, which were meant to compliment each other. However, after her death she left the estate to her son, William Cavendish, and he dismantled the Old Hall in the 1750s leaving it open to the elements.

The newly open interior was planted with specimen trees in 1793. In the 1900's the stonework was cleaned and a timber viewing platform was built so that visitors can see the intricate plasterwork up close.

Highclere Castle is a country house designed in a Jacobethan architectural style. The 5,000 acre estate was a filming location for award-winning period drama Downton Abbey. As of late 2012, residents Lord and Lady Carnarvon announced that they are beginning repairs on the turrets and the castles interior.

The grounds are bursting with gardens and lawns, however, some of them are so secret we can't see them from above. Sitting to the south-east of the castle the secret garden, which is accessed by a hidden gate, has a serpentine path and floral borders

Near the grand stately home, hidden among the trees and shrubbery is a temple called Jackdaw's Castle. One of four follies hidden in the grounds, it was built in 1743 to provide a view of the main house.

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The Grade I-listed structure was designed without a roof and features stone arches, plinths and steps.

Longleat House was built after Longleat Priory was destroyed by a fire in 1567. Taking 12 years to complete, the building is regarded as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in the UK. It is occupied by Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath who is known for his eccentric lifestyle. 

With over 9,000 acres of land to play with, the grounds of Longleat House are bursting full of hidden surprises, the biggest being the unusual wildlife that roam within special sanctuaries. The first safari park to be located outside of Africa, you'll find yourself driving among the lions and elephants.

Longleat even has its own private island in the middle of a lake. Seen here from above, you can spot a building and strange structures built on this tiny piece of land mass. But it's not for human use; it's inhabited by the local gorilla, Nico. The closest you'll get to it is by boat. 

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As you fly further into the grounds of Longleat you'll come across an astonishing maze. Added to the estate in 1975, it is the largest in Britain and is made up of over 16,000 English yew trees.

Somerleyton Hall has changed hands at least 14 times since the 13th century. Built in 1604 over the grounds of a manor house, it has been through many re-designs. However, inside it still uses the original floor plan and is full of tradiitonal features, wood panelling and stained glass that have stayed the same for hundreds of years.

With 12 acres of manicured gardens that sit within a huge 5,000 acres of land, there are plenty of secrets hiding in the lush grounds of this magnificent home.

Somerleyton Hall is home to one of the finest yew hedge mazes in Britain, planted back in 1846. The route out is around 731 metres from the centre, but most visitors find it takes a long time to solve some of the maze’s mysteries.

Another hidden treasure is the charming sunken white garden to the north of the Hall. Set within the footprint of the former winter garden, the white metal benches surround a circular pond for relaxation and contemplation.

Sudeley Castle was built in the 15th century and was situated on top of a 12th-century castle. Home to Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe and her two children, it's also been used in more recent times for high profile events such as the wedding of Elizabeth Hurley to Indian businessman Arun Nayar in 2007.

Outside, the castle is surrounded by a breathtaking 1,200-acre estate and ten award-winning gardens. It also houses a pheasantry, which has a collection of 16 rare and endangered species of birds from around the world

The centrepiece of the castle is the Queens' Garden. It's named after four of England’s queens – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I – who once walked upon the original Tudor Parterre.

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Sudeley Castle is also the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds – Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives who is entombed in the 15th-century church.

Hatfield House was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil. The estate includes extensive grounds and surviving parts of an earlier palace. The house is currently the home of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury. Inside the house, examples of Jacobean craftsmanship can be seen throughout such as the grand staircase with its fine carving. Outside, you can see it's just as beautiful.

The gardens, covering 42 acres, date from the early 17th century. The trees and plants were the first of their kind in the UK and were transported all the way from Europe, a journey of many months in the 1600s.

The gardens included orchards, fountains, scented plants, water parterres, terraces, herb gardens and a foot maze. These were sadly neglected during the 18th century but restoration began in Victorian times and the endless repairs still continue to this day.

Just a short walk from the house lies a secret in the church of St Etheldreda. Pictured at the top of this image, above the red brick building, the medieval church houses the tomb of Robert Cecil. Though placed inside a sanctified space the tomb itself is extremely odd, raised on a black platform and surrounded by risque female figures. 

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