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Castles and palaces across the UK will be encouraging visitors to do something rather strange this October: grab a pillow and lie down.
English Heritage – the organisation that looks after 400 historic sites across the country – has said visitors often miss the beautiful ceilings of its stately homes.
Decorated ceilings are an important facet of historic places. Just like art, English Heritage says ceilings tell stories about the building, such as the wealth or status of its owner and the architectural style of the time. But all this context is, quite literally, going over people’s heads – so this month the organisation will be encouraging guests to sit back and admire the view. And yes, cushions will be provided.
‘Ceilings are often the crowning glory of an historic building,’ said Jeremy Ashbee, English Heritage Head Curator of Properties. ‘Designed to inspire awe, they can be wonderfully distinctive - with decoration that survives remarkably well.’
Ashbee added: ‘When visiting a historic place, there’s not always the opportunity to enjoy a splendid ceiling to the fullest. So, this October, we’re inviting visitors to put formality to one side, make themselves at home, linger, even lie down and enjoy the view up above.’
Participating locations include Osborne House on the Isle of Wight – check out its Durbar Room, which has a ceiling made up of floral plasterwork – and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, whose Star Chamber has a striking blue ceiling covered with 254 gold-leaf stars. The Drawing Room of Wrest Park in Bedfordshire is home to an ornate ceiling painting depicting Venus and Cupid flying through the sky.
Sites with impressive ceilings taking part in the project include:
- The Saloon, Audley End, Essex
- The Library, Kenwood, North London
- The Great Hall, Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire
- The Ionic Temple, Rievaulx Terrace, North Yorkshire
- Harmondsworth Barn, Greater London
- The Refectory Roof, Cleeve Abbey, Somerset
- Bessie Surtees House, Newcastle
English Heritage’s ‘Lie Down and Look Up’ campaign runs from October 1 to November 1 2026.
For more information, visit English Heritage.
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