A History of Country House Visiting
Dr Peter Robinson
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £150 plus travel expenses at 50p/mile for a journey of more than 10 miles.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 11th July 2026
- Tagged:
- Country Houses | Tourism | Gardens | British Heritage
Britain's country houses are among our best-loved visitor attractions, welcoming millions of people every year. Yet many were never intended to receive visitors. Built as symbols of wealth, influence and prestige, they have survived changing fashions, economic hardship, war and the decline of the landed aristocracy to become some of Britain's greatest heritage success stories.
This richly illustrated talk explores the changing relationship between country houses and the public, revealing how these magnificent estates evolved from private family homes into places of education, recreation and tourism.
Along the way, we meet colourful owners, visionary gardeners, devoted servants, pioneering conservationists and determined volunteers whose efforts have ensured these remarkable places survive for future generations.
Drawing upon Peter's experience working within historic houses and researching country house history, the talk also considers the practical realities of opening historic houses to visitors and the continuing challenge of balancing conservation with public access.
Views: 12 | Enquiries: 0About Dr Peter Robinson
Peter is Head of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University. Peter’s expertise covers visitor attractions, transport operations, heritage, visitor experience, tourism landscapes, urban and rural regeneration and placemaking, business development and Cold War tourism. In 2021 Peter was Awarded the Victor Middleton Prize for Education and Scholarship by the Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE).
He is also an award-winning author and has published both academic books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as books covering a range of transport, tourism and landscape histories. He is also a features writer for a number of publications and has appeared on several television and radio programmes discussing the travel and tourism industry. Peter has been involved with policy work with DCMS, the Department for Education, the Department for Transport and VisitBritain. Peter owns a consultancy business that delivers work for organisations across multiple industry sectors worldwide. He has owned businesses in photography, travel, ICT, waste management, and publishing, and owns a toy and collectables retailer - Midland Models.
Peter is a Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute and the Yorkshire and Humber representative, a Fellow of the Tourism Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is Co-Chair of The Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE), a Director of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and he represents ATHE on the Tourism Society Board. He is Chair of the Tourism Consultants Network and is also part of the ABTA Working Group on skills and qualifications. Peter is regularly invited to speak at conferences about education policy, placemaking and heritage management. He is Chair and Founding Director of The Cold War network, Chair of The Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust and a Trustee for the 131st Derby Scouts.
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