Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1533677
Lady Violet and Emma, 11th Duchess of Rutland Lady Violet, founder HeritageXplore Emma, 11th Duchess of Rutland, Belvoir Castle To the Manor Born As any fan of Bridgerton or The Crown can attest, the manors, castles, and palaces used as sets are characters in themselves, establishing the elegance of the times before a single line of dialogue is spoken. Lady Violet grew up in Belvoir Castle (which has had its own leading roles) as the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Her new endeavor, HeritageXplore, is the first platform to bring together Britain's independently owned historic houses and open the door to some of Britain's most iconic privately owned homes and castles. Passionate about preserving and promoting heritage, she created HeritageXplore to make it easier to book and experience these remarkable yet often overlooked sites. Until recently, many were closed to the public. Lady Violet explored more than 50 houses for The Duchess podcast she shared with her mother, Emma, 11th Duchess of Rutland, which she has extended into a new podcast Hidden Heritage. The Duchess, who has spent 20 years preserving and revitalizing Belvoir, has also written a book, The Accidental Duchess. While Lady Violet was researching, she was surprised she hadn't heard of many of these historic properties. "If I — someone who grew up in one of these houses — struggled to find them," she says, "how could anyone else?" She decided to share her discoveries by launching HeritageXplore with two dozen of the United Kingdom's 500 great estates. The platform now encompasses more than 30 of the country's most significant hidden houses and gardens, including the family seat, Belvoir Castle — one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country, dating to 1067, and passed down through 36 generations. She recently added Haddon Hall and Beaulieu Palace House to her roster, which includes Blenheim Palace, Mount Stuart House and Gardens, Harlaxton Manor, Stansted Park, and Elveden Hall, among others. "These places offer a profound connection to the past," Lady Violet says. "Instead of reading about history, you're standing in it, surrounded by it, and in a way, it's looking right back at you. There's something deeply human about that experience. As Nicholas Coleridge, provost of Eton and chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, recently said on my podcast, 'It's good for the soul.'" Lady Violet hopes to broaden her scope across Europe as she expands her offerings via HeritageXplore Luxe, which offers hyper-curated stays at select properties. "Preserving these houses isn't just about nostalgia," she says. "It's about ensuring that future generations can continue to experience them." Kendall Morgan Salon talk and book signing with Lady Violet and Emma, 11th Duchess of Rutland, Monday, April 14, 5 to 7 pm, at Shabby Slips Home. For tickets and schedule, go to texasdesignweek.com. From top: Lady Violet and Emma, 11th Duchess of Rutland; Belvoir Castle; Elizabeth Saloon in Belvoir Castle. HELEN CATHCART NICK T. FRY