In 2004, the Fulford family took part in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about their struggles to keep their costly stately home running in the modern age. Head of the family, Francis Fulford has even written a book aimed at giving tips to other estate owners.

This regal castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr, and holds her marble tomb. It's now the home of Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe and her son, daughter and their families – the Dent-Brockenhursts. The family has said it is committed to preserving the castle and grounds, which includes an extravagant topiary garden, but it's not been plain sailing.

To fund the renovations, the Waters family have pursued creative avenues of income. The fairytale castle now hosts parties and weddings, along with popular restoration workshops. The owners have even published a book about the home's history and for the first time this year, an advent calendar.

Tottenham House in Wiltshire has been decaying since the forebears of the Earl of Cardigan moved out at the end of the Second World War. But now it looks set to be given a new lease of life as a billionaire's home, with plans submitted to modernise the building and add a helipad and tennis court.

Its most unique draw, however, is the dwelling's ghostly goings-on. Apparently haunted, Plas Teg hosts regular paranormal events, where it's claimed "tables rock and tip, objects move, lights and sounds appear and people experience heat, cold, and rapid mood swings". Guests claim they are sometimes able to communicate with loved ones passing through the house, as well as the house spirits.

The newest application to convert the Grade II-listed mansion into apartments has been recommended for approval by planning officers, however, this news was met by a whopping 80 letters of objection from local residents. As of yet, Carr Lodge Park's future is still hanging in the balance.

The current building is Grade I-listed, but it sits on the Norman site of the older manor house built in 1173. In 1990, it passed to its manager, Susan Cunliffe-Lister, who has worked tirelessly to rescue the stately structure from the brink of ruin and ensure the home continues to meet its running and repair costs.

While weather damage has seeped into the interior, this relic is a time capsule of retro artefacts. The kitchen pantry is stocked with old food tins, vintage cleaning products and aged wine bottles. 

Listed on Powys council's Buildings at Risk register, the rooms are strewn with reminders of the home's previous life. Photographed by Jason Bellis-Jones, the lounge still contains letters, photographs and even framed exam certificates.

Since 2015, the make-up of the Rochelle Park Township committee has changed and a majority of its members now want to offload or demolish the house, despite resistance from residents and the local historical society. The future for this endangered American dwelling doesn't look too bright...

Weddings are a major source of income for the property. It offers the manor exclusively to wedding parties, giving an impressive historic backdrop to the photographs. In this way, Sir Richard, and all the home owners, hope to keep Britain's historic buildings going for a few more centuries at least. 

In 2005, the place was on the market for £1.5 million, albeit including a surprising extra – its own aristocrat. Current owner John Vaughan explained to the Telegraph: “We are one of the few aristocratic families who have retained possession of a house since first taking it on in the Middle Ages. Whoever buys Trawsgoed (in English, Crosswood) gets a genuine, live-in, Welsh toff thrown in.” However, in 2016 it was back on the market starting at £535,000 for a wing.

Calke Abbey is a cautionary tale of what happens when a stately home is left to rack and ruin. Taken over by the National Trust, it's mostly been preserved in its decayed state, to show the neglect that happened to many of these properties around the middle of the 20th century.

It was passed to the Trust in 1985 in lieu of death duties. Today, the house is open to the public and many of its rooms are deliberately displayed in the state of decline in which the house was handed over.

Still hungry for more? Discover the world’s grandest stately homes.