What a whirlwind these past weeks have been. Between filming, a rather special live interview, and a house full of Nestor’s friends from every corner of Europe, I have scarcely had a moment to sit down…though I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is so much I have been longing to tell you.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

• An evening I’ll never forget

• Dinners of Diplomacy

• The scarves go on sale!

• A little book news

• A tiny tease of what’s coming

Let’s dive in!

An evening I’ll never forget

Last week I had the great honour of sitting down, live, with the Countess of Derby (affectionately known as Cazzy by her friends and family) and I’ll admit I was a little nervous beforehand! There is such a wonderful poise about her, and from the moment she appeared, she had the whole room in the palm of her hand!

Nearly a hundred of you joined us, and the hour simply flew by!

Our subject was General Cornwallis, one of history’s most misunderstood figures, and a man Lady Derby happens to descend from. She has made it her mission to reframe a reputation that history has treated rather unfairly, and she shared some genuinely new research: fresh detail about the illness that gripped Cornwallis at the surrender at Yorktown, and the story of a private meeting with George Washington, a moment that says so much about diplomacy and civility once the fighting is done.

We wandered from the truly global nature of the American Revolutionary War to the role of the French and the delicate business of handing over power, and your questions at the end were an absolute joy. If the evening left me with one thought, it was how much history still has to teach us about reconciliation and truth.

The whole conversation is now up on Patreon, so do go and watch, and cosy in.

Watch FREE on Patreon

Dinners of Diplomacy

Lady Derby is also about to host a wonderful event, Dinners of Diplomacy, taking these same themes further with a marvellous line-up of expert speakers.

If you can’t be there in person, the Two-Day Digital Delegate Pass brings the whole thing to you: every session streamed live, a live Q&A, a sixty-day replay, a digital archive pack and a certificate to round it all off. Early-bird pricing runs until 1 September, so do be quick if you fancy it.

Get your Pass

You can explore all of Lady Derby’s work, including her podcast, books and so much more on her website:

Countess of Derby Website

The scarves go on sale!

And a date for your diary: our Rory Hutton x Mapperton silk scarves finally go on sale on Monday 10th August!

I have been longing to share these with you!

Each one carries the motifs from the house that I love most, and because it is such a limited run, once they’re gone, they really are gone. Do get yourself on the waitlist so you’re first through the door on Monday.

Join the Waitlist

A little book news

I have been talking about my book rather a lot lately, filming reels and popping up in your feeds, and I make no apologies for it! I am so proud of this one, and every single pre-order has meant more to me than I can say.

If you haven’t reserved your copy yet, there is still time, and it truly does make all the difference.

Pre-Order

A tiny tease of what’s coming

I have been hinting at a huge project for a while now, and I am still keeping my lips firmly sealed! But I can give you the smallest peek at what it involves.

Think loving recaps of every past season of your favourite period dramas, and conversations with some of Britain’s most extraordinary historic houses…the sort of thing I have always dreamed of bringing together in one place.

Our Patrons will be the very first to know in September, with a public launch to follow.

So do stay close: follow along on Instagram, keep subscribed here and perhaps forward this to a friend who wouldn’t want to miss it.

A new home for our textiles

From September, I’ll be moving our textile boxes out of the West Room and into their new space in the house, which feels like a lovely milestone.

And there’s something rather exciting on the horizon: we have a meeting booked with De Gournay on 14th September about the West Room itself. More on that very soon...

Training again

I’m full steam ahead for the Amsterdam Marathon on 18th October. This past week I ran almost 30k, with another 16k this weekend, and I’m really in the swing of it now.

The runs only get longer from here, which is, quite frankly, a killer, but I’m loving every mile.

As always, thank you, truly, for being here, for reading and for cheering me on through the busiest and most exciting of seasons. There is so much unfolding just beneath the surface, and I can’t wait to share what comes next.

With love and gratitude,

xxJulie

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Today, I am going live with the Countess of Derby for Countesses in Conversation, and I do hope you will join us. Two countesses, one American and one English, spilling the tea on General Cornwallis, the surrender at Yorktown, and the birth of modern America. As we mark America’s 250th year, there is no better story to tell.

Here are the details one more time:

• Today, Sunday 2 August

• 6PM UK / 1PM ET / 10AM PT

• Live on Zoom, and completely free

Join us here

And do tell me: are you coming? I have popped a quick poll below so I know who to expect and can save you the best virtual seat in the house. Hope to see you later!

With love, Julie

Hello friends,

I have something rather special for you.

On Sunday 2 August, I am sitting down, live on Zoom, with the Countess of Derby, for a conversation I have been longing to have. Two countesses, one American and one English, having a proper natter about the moment our nations went their separate ways. Call it Countesses in Conversation, and yes, we fully intend to spill the tea.

Here is what makes it so very exciting. Lady Derby is not telling this story from the outside. She is a direct descendant of General Charles Cornwallis, the British commander whose surrender at Yorktown marked the turning point of the American Revolution. History remembers him as the coward who failed to attend his own defeat. The truth, as ever, is far more interesting. A man who once sympathised with the colonists, who opposed the Stamp Act, and who, in a quiet tent, speaking fluent French, may have begun a tradition of the peaceful transfer of power that still echoes in the Oval Office today.

As we mark America’s 250th year, I can think of no better moment to look back at how it all began. Not as a tale of defeat and division, but of diplomacy and reinvention.

Do join us, and it is free. Simply sign up through my Patreon, Countess of Sandwich Society, and I will send you the link. Open to all Mapperton Live! and American Countess patrons, both paid and free.

• Sunday 2 August

• 6PM UK / 1PM ET / 10AM PT

• Live on Zoom

• Free, with sign-up via Patreon

See you on the 2nd of August!

xxJulie

Well, I feel as though I haven’t spoken to you in an age, and it has only been a couple of weeks! The past fortnight has been gloriously intense: family, a grand opening, a rather heartbreaking football match, and finally a few precious days to breathe by the sea. I’ve arrived home with my head full and my heart fuller, and there is so much to share.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· A grand opening at Disneyland (yes, really!)
· Cheering on England
· Falling head over heels for Laguna Beach
· A little peek at our biggest project yet
· Back to a very full Mapperton
· Getting married at Mapperton
· Book news
· A first look at our scarf designs

Let’s dive in!

A Grand Opening at Disneyland

After a few precious days in San Diego visiting family, we whisked all four children off to Disneyland, because Luke had a ribbon to cut!

He officially opened the enormous new Earl of Sandwich restaurant, cutting the ribbon with the biggest pair of scissors I have ever seen, alongside Mickey Mouse and Earl of Sandwich’s owner, Robert Earl.

There was so much press for Luke: television journalists, influencers, the lot! So I happily slipped behind the scenes to film it all for our YouTube channel, with Luke mic’d up throughout.

You’ll even catch him tasting his favourite sandwich, which is not the one you might expect.

Hint: it is not the original roast beef the 4th Earl is said to have eaten…but you’ll have to wait for YouTube to find out which it is!

Mapperton Live on YouTube

Cheering on England

While we were at Disneyland, we all watched the England match together, every one of us in our England shirts, children included!

With just five minutes left in regular time, we truly thought we were on the verge of the final…and then Argentina scored, and scored again...boohoo!

The children had managed a couple of rides at the Park before the grand opening, so at least the park wasn’t wasted, but by the final whistle we were all rather deflated and not quite in the mood for rollercoasters.

Falling Head over Heels for Laguna Beach

As it happened, the day of the match was also Emma’s birthday (!!!), so we were determined not to let it end on a low note, and off we went to Laguna Beach.

I had never been before, and I have to say, we fell completely in love with it. If you haven’t been, I urge you to go.

We stayed at Le Petit Palais, which was outstanding: decorated so exquisitely that every single piece in the room felt thoughtfully chosen. We arrived on Wine Wednesday (half-price rosé, no less!) and sat outside with a glass while our room was made ready, then celebrated Emma’s birthday at a lovely Mexican restaurant.

The next day was pure holiday: Main Beach, beach volleyball, the boys kicking a football about, and (can you believe it?!) everybody ran. It was even Nestor’s very first run, and he says he’s committed now! Emma, Jack and I are training for the Amsterdam Marathon in October, so the miles are certainly adding up.

We ended our short stay with the most delicious sushi. Two days was all we had, but I loved every minute: the little main street, the sweet shops, the good coffee, and above all the chance to properly switch off.

A Little Peek at our Biggest Project Yet

Back in the world of work, Luke and I, together with a truly fantastic team, are pressing on with the biggest project we have ever taken on. It’s the reason so much of the past two weeks has been filled with meetings, all of us working to get it over the line.

I can’t say much yet, but I can tell you this: our Patrons will be the very first to know in September, with a public launch to follow in November.

(I can also say that I’m not at all exaggerating how big this is. We’ve already been working on it nearly full time for MONTHS, and it won’t be launching for a few months still! It’s like nothing you’ve seen before!)

So do keep your eyes and ears peeled, make sure you’re following along on Instagram and subscribed here, and perhaps send this newsletter to a friend who wouldn’t want to miss it.

And if you’re not a Patron yet, get in there now so that you get a bit of special treatment when the time comes:

Join Patreon

Back to a Very Full Mapperton

And just like that, I’m home, arriving back to a week that is quite bursting at the seams!

On Thursday I’ll be filming all day for Saving Country Houses, Season Two.

We’re also taking on the renovation of another cottage here at Mapperton, Coltleigh Hill House.

Malcolm (everyone’s favourite!) comes down on Tuesday so we can measure up and start choosing paint colours, all of it captured for our YouTube channel, of course.

Getting Married at Mapperton

A little something for the romantics: if you’ve ever dreamed of getting married at Mapperton, you may not know that we host around 20 weddings a year.

Not only did Luke and I get married at Mapperton but we filmed our very first wedding video during lockdown, when we’d lost all our visitor income and every wedding besides.

I’ll always be fond of it, but it’s looking a touch dated now.

So we’re filming a brand-new one, and yes, I’m in it!

Get married at Mapperton

Book News

A quick and rather thrilling update: pre-sales for my book have been absolutely incredible, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

If you haven’t ordered yet, do consider reserving your copy. It truly means the world.

Pre-order now!

A First Look at our Scarf Designs!

And finally, the moment I’ve been longing to share: the scarf designs are here!

The navy is a pocket square (45x45), and the brilliant aqua is a 90x90, each woven with the motifs so many of you will recognise from the house.

The samples should arrive within the next two weeks, and we already have a photo shoot booked for 5 August. I’ll be wearing and styling them myself, with a wonderful photographer down from London, and Rory and Malcolm on hand too (filmed, naturally, for YouTube!).

As soon as those photos are back, the scarves will be available to buy. This is a very limited run, though, and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so do make sure you’re on the waitlist.

Join the Waitlist

As always, thank you, truly, for being here, for reading, and for cheering us on through the busiest and most exciting of seasons.

There is so much unfolding just beneath the surface, and I can’t wait to share what comes next.

With love and gratitude,

Xx Julie

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It has been one of those stretches where the cameras barely stop rolling! Between filming, a rather big project I’m keeping under wraps and a few precious days away, the summer has arrived in a whirl…and I couldn’t be more delighted with what’s coming. There is a lot to share, so let’s begin.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· A first look at our Mapperton scarves (!!)

· Filming another season of… (wink wink)

· A project I can’t quite tell you about yet

· My little Italian house tour is live

· William’s 21st at Mapperton

· I finally got my copy of my book!

· Back into marathon training

· Heading to California

Let’s dive in!

A first look at our Mapperton scarves

I have promised to keep you close to this project, so here is the very first look at our Rory Hutton x Mapperton scarves.

There are two colourways. The navy is a pocket square 45x45, and the glorious aqua (I call it glorious because I simply love it) is a 90x90 with a signature gold border.

See how many Mapperton details you can spot—the peacocks, the eagles, the Rococo ceilings scrollwork, motifs from the 18th century dress (the stunning one with Lyon fabric circa 1730-1740) and Alberta’s House of Worth dress, the chair that Charles II sat in en route back from Holland to be crowned King ... for those of you who have visited, or watched us for years, or donated towards a restoration project will recognise immediately. And a few little surprises too.

The samples have gone off to Italy, and we should have them back in around ten days, which is absolutely brilliant!

This is a limited run, and I’ll be modelling for the photo shoot myself.

Doors are open to join the waitlist (we plan on shipping end of September / early October) but again this is LIMITED RUN, so once they are gone, they are gone.

Join the Waitlist!

Filming Saving Country Houses, Season Two

I’ve also been filming Saving Country Houses, Season Two, with Rory and Malcolm!

Much of it has been captured inside the house during our biggest restoration yet, and I can’t wait for you to see it.

More on that restoration—the West Room—over on the Mapperton Live! newsletter.

The Mapperton Live Newsletter

A project I can’t quite tell you about yet

Luke and I, along with our wonderful team, are working on something really rather exciting!

It’s taking up a great deal of my time, which is also why I’ve been so quiet on social media lately.

I simply haven’t had a moment to get on there.

I’ll be able to share it with our patrons in September, and then publicly in November. But I can promise you now that this is MASSIVE.

So stay tuned…

My little Italian house tour is live

After filming, Luke and I stole a few days in Italy.

We soaked in my little Italian house, spent time by the sea, and headed up to the mountains for a walk.

We ate extremely well and rested properly, which was much needed.

The little house is very nearly finished now, and I filmed an entire tour for you over on my Julie in Italy channel.

Watch Julie in Italy

William’s 21st at Mapperton

We celebrated William’s 21st here at Mapperton, and it couldn’t have gone better!

The theme was Saturday Night Fever, the guest list was over eighty, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

Everyone entered through the front of the house for a glass of fizz, then out into the gardens for wonderful canapés by Chef Joe (you may remember her as our chef for the Grand Historic Tours). From there we moved into the Coach House for a sit-down dinner.

A seven-piece band played for a couple of hours before the DJ took over, and I finally fell into bed at half past two in the morning!

I used flowers from the kitchen garden and the gardens throughout for the tablescapes and for big vases in the house.

It was SUCH an amazing night!

Secrets of an English Country Estate

It’s here. My actual, physical, real-life copy of Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton arrived today—and I held it in my hands and genuinely didn’t know what to do with myself.

Nearly two years of work. And now it’s a real book. With pages. And the most stunning photography and styling I have ever been part of. I keep picking it up and flicking through it just to look at it.

I cannot wait for you to have your own copy.

Do you have yours yet? If not, pre-order now—publication day is 24th September 2026 —and there are some very special goodies waiting for you when you do.

👉 Order here and claim your gifts

Back into marathon training

On a more personal note, I’ve properly upped my marathon training.

I’m now running three days a week, with spinning on top of that, and of course my two-hour yoga session each week.

It’s hard work, but the momentum is very much there and I can’t wait for Amsterdam! (or maybe I can…. eek!)

Heading home to California

And finally, we’re off to California this week!

I’ll be meeting up with my entire family in San Diego and all four children are coming too. We’ll be away for a week, and I just know that it will be SO special. We of course are hoping that England (sorry everyone, but with three boys firmly England fans, I’ve had to switch sides!) make it to the final of the World Cup while we’re over in the USA.

As always, thank you for reading and for being here. Even in the busiest of seasons, there is so much unfolding beneath the surface, and I’m so grateful to share it with you.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

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I had to write to you straight away, because I have just seen the final scarf design— and I am genuinely overwhelmed. It is phenomenal.

There are so many motifs woven into this design that many of you will instantly recognise from your time with us—through Mapperton, through YouTube, through every visit and every restoration you have supported—plus a few special details that are entirely new. I cannot wait for you to see it!

We are now deep into choosing colours. Rory, Malcolm and I are looking at three to four different colourways, and—here is the lovely part—these colours will also help guide the palette for the West Bedroom restoration itself. The scarf and the room are becoming part of the same story, in the truest sense.

Once we approve the colours, the sample will be sent to Italy to be made, and then it comes back to us for final approval before we move into full production. We are getting incredibly close now.

A quick note for those of you who have already joined the waitlist: thank you. We have had over 300 of you sign up, and you do not need to do anything further—we have you, and you will be the very first to know the moment the collection is ready to order.

If you have not yet joined, I would love for you to think of it almost like placing your name down for a preorder. This will be a true limited run! And once they are gone, they are gone.

Join the waitlist here

This project has become something I am so deeply proud of. It represents my time here at Mapperton, the history of this house, and—just as much—it represents all of you. So many of you have been part of the Mapperton story for years now, whether through watching us grow on YouTube, visiting in person, or supporting the restorations that have brought this house back to life piece by piece. This scarf carries all of that with it.

Thank you for being part of it.

With so much love,

Julie x

A quick, slightly overwhelmed update from me.

The pre-orders for Secrets of an English Country House have come in faster than any of us expected—so much so that my publisher has already gone back to print more copies as you know. Here’s what Alice (commissioning editor) told me:

“Julie, it’s been incredible to see such a strong wave of pre-orders coming in – your community has really shown up in the most wonderful way. We’ve already printed more copies in response, and we’ve no doubt this will be a must-have Christmas gift. This level of early support is so important, helping more readers discover both the book and the story of Mapperton.”

I wanted you to hear that directly, because none of it happens without you.

If you’ve been waiting to pre-order—or are still deciding—here’s a small taste of what’s inside. No one who built Mapperton ever agreed on what it should look like, and 500 years later, you can still see the argument: Tudor ceilings, a Georgian front bolted on top, Arts and Crafts flourishes added later by someone who clearly liked texture. Every generation simply overruled the last, and somehow it all still stands.

I used to think “authentic” meant one period, perfectly preserved. Living here taught me it means every layer left visible—arguments and all. That’s the house I tried to capture in this book.

Pre-order here

Pre-order before 23 September and you’ll receive:

• A signed bookplate

• 3 months free Mapperton Live! membership

• A Christmas card from Luke and me

Given what my publisher just told me, I’d love for this to land in even more homes before the holidays. If you’ve been on the fence, this is the moment.

With love, xx Julie

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Well, what a stretch it has been! I’ve spent dawn-til-dusk days in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country with soil under my nails, celebrated a garden seven years in the making, stood in front of the most breathtaking royal clothes I’ve ever seen, and somehow packed more into a single Wednesday than feels entirely reasonable. Pour yourself something and settle in…there’s a lot to share!

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· The Rory Hutton x Mapperton collection

· A little book reminder

· My apprenticeship at Newby Hall

· Inside Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe

· A historic houses weekend in Wiltshire

· A certain series…

· My most chaotic day yet

· Another marathon?!

Let’s dive in!

The Rory Hutton x Mapperton collection is here!

I teased this last time, and now I can finally share it: we’re working with the award-winning designer Rory Hutton on a strictly limited-edition silk scarf and pocket square, with every penny raised going towards the restoration of the West Room!

Tudor overmantel, mullion windows, Georgian sash windows. It’s one of Mapperton’s most loved spaces, and one in urgent need of renovation.

This is the new ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ in which you get something beautiful back!

Rory hand-illustrates and then lino cuts each design in his studio before it’s printed onto silk by artisans in Italy, and for this collection he’s woven the iconic heritage of Mapperton into something truly collectible. What’s on it so far…. the 18th Century Eagles of course, the Peacock from the 18th century tapestry, my frill swim cap and so much more plus a surprise motif that I’m making myself (under Rory’s instruction) later this week! He’s worked with the Royal Collection Trust, the V&A, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and The King at Highgrove—so you can imagine how special this is.

Here are a couple examples of his work:

The scarf is £200, the pocket square £100, or both together for £260. It’s a strictly limited run! Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Join the waitlist to see the design before anyone else and be first to pre-order.

Get on the waitlist!

And while I have you…the book!

A quick update! The pre-orders for Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton continue to mean the world to me, and—as I shared last time—they’re the very reason I’ve just signed for a second book.

If you’ve been meaning to order, now really is a wonderful moment.

Preorder now!

I was an apprentice!

Last time I told you I was off to Newby Hall and Gardens in my boiler suit, with a Thursday surprise I was saving.

Here it is: I spent the week there on what was, in essence, an apprenticeship, and it was every bit as exceptional as I’d hoped.

Lucinda and Richard Compton could not have been more generous, putting me up in the Hall itself—a glorious Christopher Wren and Robert Adam house, filled with extraordinary Chippendale furniture.

My days began at 8am in the gardens with the head gardener, Lawrence, and his team. I learned how to garden properly—my knowledge of weeds, in particular, has expanded no end!—and helped prepare for the reopening of the Edwardian rock garden, built by Richard’s great-great-grandfather. Tea breaks in the mess room with the whole team were some of my favourite moments of all.

I’m now managing Mapperton’s Italianate formal gardens, so I came home with a head full of ideas I can’t wait to put into practice.

And the reason for all that preparation: the rock garden’s grand reopening, seven years in the making—nine, if you count two years of Covid. The night before, we had a small dinner in Newby’s gorgeous orangery: lobster, salmon and beef, my idea of surf and turf, with the very best conversation. Lawrence, it turns out, is not only a brilliant head gardener but a gifted florist too, and his flowers on the table were simply incredible.

The next day was the proper celebration. It was a reception with canapés in the statue gallery for some 100 to 150 guests: journalists, friends of the Comptons, and well-wishers who’d come from far and wide. Gyles Brandreth did the honours, cutting the garland to officially reopen the rock garden. Plus, Stephane Jarvis and Philip from Chateau Diaries were there as well and before you ask: of course we filmed together for our respective YouTube channels!

What a week!

I saw the Queen’s clothes!

And straight after that week, I spent a morning at the King’s Gallery for Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, and I’m still thinking about it. Even with a booked ticket there was a queue out of the door, and the moment I stepped inside I understood exactly why.

The Royal Christening Robe, commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1841 and worn by every royal baby for 130 years. Norman Hartnell’s wedding dress, with its thirteen-foot train inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera. The coronation dress, embroidered with the floral emblems of every nation over which she reigned. I stood in front of each one rather overcome.

I’ve written all about it over on my Substack—do go and read it, and then get yourself a ticket. The exhibition has been so popular it’s been extended all the way to April 2027.

Gilded Heiresses

Inside Queen Elizabeth II's Wardrobe

Honestly, I should have known. Even with a booked ticket, there was already a queue snaking out of the door when I arrived. And the moment I saw it, I thought: of course there is. Because this is not just an exhibition. This is Queen Elizabeth II’s entire life, told through the most breathtaking clothes you have ever seen, and people are absolutely flocking…

Read more

2 months ago · 44 likes · 7 comments · Julie Montagu

A historic houses weekend in Wiltshire

Luke and I then headed to Wiltshire, where we stayed at the Hall in Bradford on Avon, which is a stunning Jacobean mansion built between 1610 and 1620, in what must be one of the most beautiful Georgian towns in the country.

We were there for our regional Historic Houses AGM (Luke sits on the Wessex committee), hosted this year at Belcombe Court, a grade-one-listed Georgian house set in 60 acres of formal gardens. We had dinner the evening before at Iford Manor and Gardens, which is one of the very first gardens I ever filmed for my American Countess YouTube channel, five years ago now.

How time flies!

There’s nothing quite like gathering with other historic house owners and custodians to compare notes on what’s going well this year, and what perhaps isn’t.

A certain series… (I can’t say much!)

I HAVE to be brief here: there’s a second season of a certain series we were part of last year, and we’ll be part of it again this year. I had a wonderful creative call with the team, and filming begins imminently.

I think you can probably guess…but my lips are sealed for now!

My most chaotic day yet

And then there was Wednesday, which was possibly the busiest day I’ve ever had at Mapperton.

Back-to-back meetings from half past eight: our filmmaker David, the builder helping me renovate the flat connected to the main house, the full team meeting, the kitchen garden, the formal gardens, social media and YouTube…

By ten to two I had precisely ten minutes to grab a salad and walk outside, bowl and fork in hand, to meet the Financial Times photographer.

There’s an article on the way, and when I admitted I’m not terribly good at dressing elegantly—you’ll usually find me in my red boiler suit—they simply said, “Wonderful, let’s do the red boiler suit.” So that’s exactly what we did!

After that came a wedding meeting, then filming in the Coach House Café kitchen with Christine, turning our kitchen garden produce into recipes, and finally a five o’clock meeting about a big project Luke and I are working on that I can’t breathe a word of yet…though some of you will find out soon.

The rest of the week was, in a word, filming. Lots and lots of filming.

Another marathon?!

I can hardly believe I’m typing this, but Emma, Jack, and I entered the ballot for the Copenhagen Marathon in 2027…

…and we’re in!

Yep, I’ve 100% caught the marathon bug.

So it’s Amsterdam this October, and now Copenhagen next May.

I’m not entirely sure what I’ve signed myself up for, but somehow that first accidental marathon in Florence got under my skin, and it seems running is in my blood now. We’ll see how long that lasts…

Thank you, as ever, for being here, for every pre-order, every kind note, every click. It truly does move the needle, and it’s what lets me keep sharing all of this with you. I feel very lucky indeed.

With love and gratitude,

xxJulie

Just over three months from today—24th September 2026—this book is in the world. In actual shops. In actual hands. After nearly two years of writing, photographing, archiving, researching and one or two moments of wondering if I’d ever finish it, Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton is just over three months away.

Because if you’re on this newsletter, you’ve been part of this journey in some way. You’ve read the Alberta essays. You’ve watched the shoots. You’ve followed along as I’ve tried to make sense of what it means to live inside a piece of history and do justice to the people who came before us. This book is the answer I arrived at. And I cannot wait for you to hold it.

What’s inside?

A full year at Mapperton, season by season. The house as it was—and as it is today. The extraordinary people who shaped it and our family history, including Alberta Sturges, the American heiress who crossed the Atlantic during that Gilded Age ere and left behind thousands of letters in our archive. The garden. The collections. The community we are building. The objects that carry grief and joy in equal measure.

And photographs. So many beautiful photographs.

If you haven’t pre-ordered yet—now really is the moment.

Pre-orders close 23rd September 2026—the day before publication. And every single one matters enormously, shaping how booksellers and Amazon position and promote the book right through to launch day and beyond.

Order from Amazon, Bookshop.org or Barnes & Noble, then complete the form to claim your thank-you gifts:

✨ Patrons — exclusive live Q&A with me, monthly digital scrapbook of unpublished images, Patron-only signed bookplate, plus a surprise still to come.

✨ Not yet a Patron? — 3 months free Mapperton Live! membership, entry to win 1 of 100 spots in a live Q&A with me, signed downloadable bookplate, and a Christmas card from me and Luke by post.

Pre-order and claim your gifts here

Just over three months. Let’s make them count.

With love, as always. xx Julie

What a fortnight it has been…and what a fortnight is ahead. I’ve finished a year of ‘Gardening through the Seasons’, I’m off to one of my favourite gardens in the country with my boiler suit packed, I’ve wandered Chelsea with champagne in hand, belted out my favourite song under a circus tent, and I’ve signed something I’m longing to tell you about. Pull up a chair; there’s A LOT in this issue.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· A second book (shh, it’s a secret!)

· A year of learning in the garden

· An apprenticeship of a lifetime

· The Chelsea Flower Show

· The Greatest Showman!

· My biggest-ever restoration project (the first to know is you)

· Another marathon?!

Let’s dive in!

A Second Book (very much a secret)

I can hardly believe I’m writing this, but the pre-order sales for Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton have been so wonderfully strong that last week I signed for my second book.

I can’t say a word more than that just yet—hint, hint—but it would NOT be happening without you.

Every pre-order genuinely matters, and they have mattered hugely. So if you’ve been meaning to order, now really is the moment.

Pre-Order Now

My Year of Gardening

I’ve just finished my Gardening Through the Seasons course, run by Troy Scott Smith, the head gardener at Sissinghurst.

I’ve learned so much over the past year, and I’m endlessly grateful for the chance to learn from someone like Troy.

Now comes the best part: putting it all into practice in Mapperton’s Italianate formal gardens.

Stay tuned! There will be plenty to show you.

An Apprenticeship of a Lifetime at Newby Hall

As I write this, I’m about to leave for Newby Hall and Gardens—in my view, one of the top ten gardens in the country.

Lucinda Compton, who is custodian there alongside her husband Richard, has very kindly invited me up for what is, in essence, an apprenticeship.

I’ll be in my boiler suit from the early hours…and remember, in British summertime the sun rises just before 5am and doesn’t set until around 9:30pm! So there will be plenty of gardening hours.

A half day Monday, all day Tuesday and Wednesday, and then something rather special on the Thursday, working alongside Lucinda and the head gardener, Lawrence.

But I’ll save that Thursday surprise for the next newsletter…

Two Days at the Chelsea Flower Show

Straight after my gardening course, I drove back up to London for the Chelsea Flower Show preview party, where you beat the crowds and see as many gardens as you can while sipping champagne and nibbling canapés.

I got to see the King’s Foundation garden with no queues at all, and it was stunning: perennials and annuals cleverly woven through vegetables.

The next day I went back with my partner in crime, the interior designer extraordinaire Malcolm Winyard. It was a perfect day of sun and cloud!

We queued forty minutes this time for the King’s Foundation garden. It was worth it - even the second time around! We arrived at 11:30am and stayed until it closed at 8pm!

Chelsea has grown so wonderfully that it’s now full of brilliant British-made stallholders too. My favourite stall was Country Life, built like a library—so cool. I also treated myself to a pair of Japanese secateurs and fell for Elizabeth Scarlett’s travel bags!

The Greatest Showman…and a very un-British moment

Then it was back up to London, because Emma and Jack had bought me birthday tickets to Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular at Earl’s Court.

They know I’m completely obsessed with that soundtrack!

We had wonderful pub food beforehand, then stepped into a huge tent of acrobats and every tune I love. I’d been waiting all night for “This Is Me,” my favourite, and when it finally came—second to last—the American in me simply stood up and belted it out from the back row!

Very interactive, very fun, and gloriously un-British of me. The Hugh Jackman of the night kept pointing my way: get up like this lady, get up, get up! What a night!

My biggest-ever restoration project—and you’ll be the first to know

I couldn’t get enough of Malcolm, so Malcolm, Rory Hutton and I are now collaborating on the most exciting thing I’ve taken on at Mapperton. Rory is a super talented textile designer who has worked with the King at Highgrove, the V&A’s Collection, the British Museum—the list goes on and on.

This is my biggest restoration project in the house, and there won’t be another like it. Malcolm is leading the design, and Rory is creating something unbelievably special. We had the loveliest evening at Mapperton—drinks and canapés outside in the warmth, then a fish dinner of sea bass that Luke had caught the day before, before getting to work on drawings and measurements.

We’ll be announcing this collaboration in the next couple of weeks—and you, lovely friends, will be the very first to hear.

I’m Marathon Training Again!

Training for the Amsterdam marathon is properly underway, and weight training has become my non-negotiable. I aim for strength work three times a week, plus of course my two-hour yoga class.

I clocked my second-fastest 10k recently, which I was thrilled with, and rounded off the week with a 16k run.

The momentum is very much there! And I’m excited to see how I’ll do in a marathon when I’ve actually trained for it!

All About the Dogs

I’ve just published a piece over at my Gilded Heiresses substack that I think you’ll really love: it’s all about dogs!

They are such a part of life here, and it was a joy to write.

Gilded Heiresses

The Four-Legged Companions of the Gilded Age

Long before pampered pooches were travelling first class, sporting monogrammed jumpers, and somehow attracting more admirers on Instagram than their owners, the elite of the nineteenth century knew the social power of a well-bred pet…

Read more

2 months ago · 35 likes · 1 comment · Julie Montagu

Thank you, as ever, for being here. Every pre-order, every kind note, every click really does move the needle…and it lets me keep sharing all of this with you. I feel very lucky indeed.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

I have two pieces of news and I am barely keeping it together.

First—because of you, because of your pre-orders and your shares and your recommendations to friends—Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton has already gone to a second print run. It hasn’t even published yet. I don’t have the words.

Second—and I genuinely cannot say much, it’s a SECRET, but I can’t not tell you—I have just signed for a second book! Ahhhhh!

That’s it. That’s all I’m allowed to say. But I needed you to know, because none of it— not the second print run, not the second book deal—happens without the momentum you have created around this first one. Pre-orders matter. You have just proven exactly how much.

So if you haven’t pre-ordered yet, now is genuinely the moment. Not just for me— though it does mean everything—but because pre-orders are what tell publishers, booksellers and Amazon that a book deserves attention. Every single one counts, right up to the deadline of 23rd September 2026.

Pre-order from Amazon, Bookshop.org or Barnes & Noble—and when you do, fill in the form at the link below to claim your thank-you gifts:**

✨ Patrons receive an exclusive live Q&A with me, a monthly digital scrapbook of unpublished images, and a Patron-only signed bookplate—plus one more surprise to come.

✨ Not yet a Patron? You’ll receive 3 months of free Mapperton Live! membership, entry into a draw for 1 of 100 spots in a live Q&A with me, a signed downloadable bookplate, and a Christmas card from me and Luke by post in December.

Pre-order and Claim your gifts here

Publication day: 24th September 2026.

A second print run. A second book. A second huge thank you.

You did that. xx Julie

May is in full swing here, and the days are running together in the most wonderful way. There are first lettuces coming out of the kitchen garden, a tapestry hung in the West Room, and I have been dashing about the UK…I even did a small dash to Italy in the middle of it all. I’m so glad to pull up a chair and share it with you.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

• A second print run for the book, and a leap up the Amazon charts

• Speaking in Surrey on all things Mapperton

• Crafted: a panel on keeping the great house alive

• The kitchen garden begins to give

• The West Room and what’s coming next

• On the cover of Dorset Magazine

• A few stolen days in Italy

Let’s dive in!

A second print run and a real leap up the charts

I have the most wonderful news to share: Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton has gone into a SECOND print run, and we haven’t even reached publication day yet! I genuinely cannot quite believe it.

I sent an email out yesterday with a small nudge to pre-order, and overnight the book leapt from around 22,000 on Amazon to roughly 6,000. It is a reminder of how much each of you actually moves the needle when you click that button.

If you’ve been meaning to pre-order, this is the moment!

And if you have already: thank you, truly. Every single copy helps.

Order your copy

Speaking in Surrey

Earlier in the week I was the guest speaker at the AWSurrey International Women’s Group in Surrey, where I spoke about all things Mapperton, Alberta, and the American Countess…and how we are preserving Mapperton through innovative new channels like our YouTube series.

I always begin with a little history of the Montagu family, with a special place for the first and the fourth Earls, before moving into how the house and its stories are being kept alive today.

A lovely, lively room! I enjoyed every minute!

Crafted: keeping the great house alive

I had such a good time on a panel at Crafted alongside Malcolm and two wonderful fellow panellists—Pratyush Sarup, Director at House & Garden UK, and Dan Jackson, Head of Historic Buildings at Historic Royal Palaces.

We talked about how to keep the great house alive—particularly the innovative ways we are using content, from YouTube to Substack to social, to bring these places (and the people who shaped them) back into the conversation.

Malcolm, of course, has had such a hand in the recent rearrangement and redecoration of so many of our rooms at Mapperton, so it was a real treat to be on a panel with him.

The kitchen garden begins to give

There is something deeply satisfying about the first harvest of the year. We have just begun pulling lovely things out of the kitchen garden—mizuna, purple frills, speckled oak leaf lettuce, and the first radishes of the season.

Christine is using all of it in the salads at the Coach House Cafe, which means if you come down to visit, what’s on your plate has been growing here only days before. It’s the kind of detail that tells you the season has properly started.

The West Room…what’s coming next?!

The Peacock Tapestry is now hung in the West Room. I haven’t yet opened the doors to the public, because the other Heritage rooms it sits alongside are still in the middle of being redecorated and have only just come back into our hands. I’d rather wait and let you see the whole thing at once!

I’ll also be moving all of my textiles in there, and over the next couple of weeks I will be telling you about a huge collaboration project that will help us raise funds for the proper redecoration of the West Room. It is genuinely one of the most exciting things I’ve put together at Mapperton.

I’m bringing on a wonderful collaborator, Rory Hutton, who has worked with the King…and Malcolm will of course be involved as well. More very soon!

A Couple Spots Left!

Speaking of…

For those of you who have been waiting: there are still a couple of spots left at our next Textiles & Tapestries Retreat, running 1–4 September!

This time, guests will be stitching from a motif taken from Alberta’s House of Worth gown. It’s the same gown now on display in the library, alongside our Alberta exhibition.

It is a properly special detail, and one I am thrilled we can offer.

If you’ve been thinking about it, this is the moment. The last seats tend to go quickly.

Snag a spot!

The Countess of Sandwich Society is growing!

I’m a little overwhelmed by this one: the Countess of Sandwich Society has nearly 2,000 members! And almost 500 of those members are active, meaning they’re joined at a paid tier and get all of the perks!

It is incredible to see how many of you have pulled up a chair.

And let me tell you…something incredible is in the works that I can’t announce just yet. But if you’re been thinking about joining, this might be JUST the right time!

Join the Society

On the cover of Dorset Magazine!

I had the loveliest surprise last week: I’m going to be on the cover of Dorset Magazine!

We did a big photo shoot for it, and you’ll see me in some of my most-loved pieces—my gold charity-shop find, my staple red boiler suit, and yes, the frilly cap I’ve been wearing since lockdown, when I started swimming in the 18th-century pool.

The issue will be out at the end of the summer. I cannot wait for you to see it.

A few stolen days in Italy

Straight after the Textiles & Tapestries Retreat, I jumped on a plane and disappeared to my little house in Italy for a few much-needed days. Bliss.

Of course, I filmed all of it for you. I visited a couple of brilliant flea markets and did a collaboration with two other YouTubers (whose channels many of you watch, I think). The episode is coming to Julie in Italy soon.

Subscribe to Julie in Italy

Thank you, as ever, for being here. Every pre-order, every Countess of Sandwich Society sign-up, every kind note about the YouTube channel…they keep this all moving. I feel very lucky to be sharing it with you.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

My publisher just told me that because the preorders for Secrets of an English Country House are so strong, we are getting a second print run in the United States!

I cried a little. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t.

Here’s the thing they also told me — and I want you to really hear this — preorders can make or break a book. They are how publishers decide whether a book has a life beyond its launch day. Every single preorder tells them: this matters, print more, get it into more shops, put it in front of more people.

So if you’ve been thinking about it, now is the moment. Please.

What is the book?

Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton is the most personal thing I’ve ever written. It follows a full year at Mapperton — the seasons, the 900-year history, the extraordinary archive discoveries, and the very real, occasionally chaotic reality of keeping a 500-year-old estate alive. The reservoir that emptied itself the day before a wedding. The son who freed a thousand pheasants across the valley. The Regency sketchbook found untouched in a 200-year-old writing table. The countess who met Napoleon in exile and wrote home about it.

It’s all in there.

Preorder before 23 September 2026 and you’ll receive:

If you’re a current Mapperton Live! Patron: — A place on an exclusive live Patron Q&A with me — A monthly digital scrapbook of unpublished images from the book — A Patron-only downloadable signed bookplate — One more surprise to come!

If you’re not yet a Patron: — 3 months free Mapperton Live! membership at Hogarth level (starting launch day, 24 September) — Entry to win 1 of 100 places in a live Non-Patron Q&A with me — A downloadable signed bookplate — A Christmas card from Luke and me, by post in December.

Preorder from Barnes & Noble, Books.org, Amazon US or Amazon UK — then complete the form at the link below to claim your gifts.

PREORDER & CLAIM YOUR GIFTS →

Thank you. Genuinely. This community is the reason that second print run is happening.

With so much love from Mapperton,

xx Julie

May has arrived, and what a few weeks it has been! There has been filming in Scotland, a House of Worth gown to collect from Hampton Court Palace, our very first textiles retreat at Mapperton, a state visit, a talk in Blandford Forum, and—somewhere in the middle of it all—a book finally going to print. I’m so glad to sit down and bring you up to speed.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· Filming at Dumfries House for The King’s Foundation

· Alberta’s House of Worth gown at Hampton Court Palace

· Our inaugural Textiles & Tapestries Retreat at Mapperton

· The latest Substack: a cookbook in a Dorset attic

· The West Room: our most ambitious restoration yet

· The Countess of Sandwich Society

· Speaking at the Corn Exchange, Blandford Forum

· King Charles’s state visit (and a few television moments)

· The book!

Let’s dive in!

Filming at Dumfries House

I took the train up to Scotland with Victoria, our series producer. The night before our shoot, we sat down with Stephen and Claire—our camera crew—to walk through the next day: call sheets, risk assessments, every beat we wanted to hit.

For anyone who hasn’t followed the story, Dumfries House is the great Adam-designed Palladian house in Ayrshire that the King famously stepped in to save in 2007, leading the consortium that bought the house and its irreplaceable Chippendale furniture before the contents were sold off and scattered. It is now home to The King’s Foundation, and the work being done there is genuinely remarkable.

We filmed the interiors, of course, but also some of the wonderful courses they run—textiles, farming, hospitality—and the whole estate was buzzing because the King himself was due to arrive the following week.

You could feel everyone gearing up for it!

If you’re a member of the Countess of Sandwich Society, then you’ve already seen a lot of behind the scenes about this!

If you’re not a member yet, it’s time to join and catch up!

Join the Society

The House of Worth gown at Hampton Court Palace

The moment we landed back in London, I went straight down to Mapperton for a single day, then turned around and headed up to Hampton Court Palace to collect Alberta’s House of Worth dress. The Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court, has been doing the most exquisite restoration and conservation work on it.

If you’ve followed Alberta’s story, you’ll know how much this gown means…and seeing it back in person, treated by some of the best textile conservators in the world, was beyond moving.

We filmed it! And I cannot wait for you to see the episode.

The Royal School of Needlework is, simply, outstanding.

Our inaugural Textiles & Tapestries Retreat

We have just wrapped our very first Textiles & Tapestries Retreat at Mapperton, and it could not have gone better. Twelve wonderful women joined us, totally sold out, and the weather was, against all odds, sensational throughout.

The big moment was the unveiling of the peacock tapestry. Emma Telford—the UK’s leading tapestry conservator—brought it down herself, and we placed it back into the West Room, where I think it will stay. Emma and I did a Q&A together when it was revealed, which was such a treat.

Over two days, Deborah Wilding from the Royal School of Needlework led the group in stitching a motif drawn from one of our 18th-century dresses, working in the coach house. We had breakfast in the dining room, a welcome dinner with Chef Joe, an evening at the local pub, and then a three-course farewell dinner that was, honestly, sensational. I taught yoga in the morning, the gardens were in full bloom, and we sent everyone home a little reluctantly.

A handful of places remain for our September retreat, where guests will stitch a motif drawn from Alberta’s House of Worth gown now on display in the house.

Join the Retreat

A new Substack: a cookbook in a Dorset attic

My latest Gilded Heiresses piece is up on Substack, and it’s one I’m rather proud of. It’s the story of a typed, clipped, very practical cookbook that sat in the Mapperton attic for nearly a century—and the American heiress turned Countess who once owned it.

It’s also a small sneak peek at one of the moments from the book.

Read it now

The West Room: our most ambitious restoration yet

Last week, I met with Malcolm in London to start putting the pieces together for the most ambitious heritage restoration we have ever undertaken at Mapperton: a complete redo of the West Room.

I’ve spent so many hours in that room with the textiles that it makes sense it would be the one. We’re talking hand-painted wallpaper, new damask linings, fresh silk on the duchesse brisée, and a colour palette I’m still falling in love with. I’ve also brought in another extraordinary collaborator (more on her very soon).

Things will start moving fast. By the end of May, I’ll be sharing exactly how this is going to come together—and a really clever way for you to be part of it. It is beyond exciting.

The Countess of Sandwich Society: pull up a chair

I built the Countess of Sandwich Society so that no matter where you are in the world, you have a seat at the table. It is completely free to join, and—I have to say—it is taking off in a way I didn’t quite see coming.

The latest post about it has just passed 300,000 views.

If you haven’t yet, come on in. The conversation is wonderful, and there is a lot in the diary for the months ahead.

Join the Society

Speaking at the Corn Exchange, Blandford Forum

I had the joy of speaking to a hundred people at the Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum—a beautiful 18th-century building designed by the Bastard brothers, the same brothers who built our staircase hall at Mapperton. (I do love a Dorset coincidence.)

We talked about Mapperton, the many restoration projects underway, and the YouTube channel. A lovely evening from start to finish.

King Charles’s state visit (and a few television moments)

The big news in late April was, of course, King Charles’s state visit to the United States. I was up bright and early on Monday the 27th to film with Sky News, and then later did a longer podcast with Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4’s Fourcast.

We covered the state visit itself and the wider story of the British monarchy in America.

The book (it’s time to preorder!)

I had twenty minutes to spare on the deadline, but Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton is officially at the printers. It is already a bestseller, and I am over the moon.

Here’s where I’m asking for your help: I’m trying to reach 3,000 pre-orders before publication day on 24th September.

Pre-orders genuinely make an enormous difference to how a book is stocked and noticed, so if you’ve been thinking about it, this is the moment.

You also receive a beautiful set of pre-order gifts—a Patron-only Q&A, a digital scrapbook, a signed bookplate, and more—when you complete the claim form.

The following link will take you to all the info you need, including how to order via independent bookstores and Amazon…so that you have a choice!

Preorder Now!

Thank you—truly—for being here. There is so much in motion right now, and knowing some of you will be reading the book, joining the Countess of Sandwich Society, and turning up to the next retreat is what makes any of it worth doing.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

I have a proper piece of news for you this week, and one I’ve been dying to share. I’ve written a book! And pre-order is open now!

It’s called Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton, and I still can’t quite believe it’s a real, finished thing. I’ll stop saying that eventually.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

• The book

• The two chapters on Alberta

• Pre-order gifts — yes, you get gifts!

• Publication day: 24th September 2026

Let’s dive in!

The book

The basics:

Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton. Published by Quarto. Out on 24th September 2026.

It’s a full year at Mapperton—the house, the family, the collections, the garden, the archive, all of it—and the photographs are absolutely breathtaking. It is by far the biggest project I’ve ever finished, and I am so so pleased with how it’s turned out.

The button below will automatically send you to US retailers if you’re in the States, and UK retailers if you’re in the UK.

Preorder Now!

The two chapters on Alberta

If you’ve been around for a while, then you already know all about Alberta; she’s the American heiress who became the 9th Countess of Sandwich, and she’s been a huge part of my research for years.

She has two full chapters in the book.

The first is about the research itself: the archive, our wonderful volunteer team, and the Alberta AI Luke built from her own letters.

The second is about the things she left behind: her journals, her clothes, a small devotional book of pressed flowers and prayers, and a House of Worth gown that turned up in a place absolutely no one expected.

Those two chapters are, hands down, the parts of the book I’m most proud of.

Pre-order gifts (yes, you get gifts!)

I wanted pre-ordering to actually mean something for you. So here is what’s on offer if you order before 23rd September 2026 and then fill in the claim form.

If you’re already a Mapperton Live Patron:

• A live online Patron-only Q&A with me after publication

Each month from May to publication at the end of September, you’ll get a monthly digital gift, including:

• A digital scrapbook full of images that didn’t make the book

• A special signed, downloadable bookplate just for Patrons

• And more surprises that we’re still whipping up

If you’re not yet a Patron:

• Three free months of Mapperton Live at Hogarth level (level 3), starting on publication day

• A place in the draw for one of 100 spots in a live online Q&A with me

• A signed downloadable bookplate the minute you complete the form

• A Christmas card from Luke and me, posted to you in December

Preorder Now

Publication day: 24th September 2026

Save the date! I’ll be talking about the book quite a lot between now and then…I’m just so excited! But I wanted you to hear about it from me right away.

If you’ve been wanting to pick up a Mapperton book, this is the one. And if you know someone who would love it, please do forward this on.

Preorder Now

I really do mean this: thank you for being here, for reading, for showing up to the talks and the videos and everything in between. Knowing some of you will be reading this book is a huge part of why I kept writing it.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

What a few weeks it has been! Between finishing a book, graduating, escaping to Italy, and gathering the whole family around the Easter table, life has felt wonderfully full. There is so much to share with you, and I’m delighted to sit down and catch you up on everything.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· A huge book announcement is coming…mark your calendars!

· Graduating with my Master’s in Country House Studies

· A trip to Italy with Malcolm for house planning and antique shopping

· New Substack essays on Gilded Age heiresses

· Easter at Mapperton with all four children

· Training for the Amsterdam marathon with Emma and Jack

Let’s dive in!

Mark your calendars: April 19

Last week, I had my final meeting at the publisher for the Mapperton illustrated book, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Malcolm, the stylist for the book, and I spent a good few hours there going through everything, and I’m now deep in the work of writing captions for all 300 photographs.

It’s been quite the slog, I won’t lie, but the book is looking so wonderful that every caption feels worth it.

I can’t say more just yet, but please mark your calendars: Sunday, April 19.

A huge announcement about the book is coming, and I cannot wait to share it with you.

A Master’s with Distinction

I am so thrilled to share that I have officially graduated with my Master’s in Country House Studies…and with Distinction!

It was one of those days that felt almost surreal: wearing the robe and the hat, hearing my name announced, and then seeing it written down with the little cross that denotes Distinction. I may have got a tiny bit emotional.

This degree has shaped so much of how I think about heritage, preservation, and the stories houses hold. If you’d like to see the moment, it’s all in a recent Mapperton Live video: “How Did This Happen? How Mapperton Changed My Life.”

Julie (and Malcolm!) in Italy

Malcolm and I also made a trip to Italy, which was equal parts productive and delicious. Malcolm, who helped design the entire house, came along as we tackled some big decisions: choosing the external paint colour for my Little Italian House (yes, it’s time for a repaint!), selecting proper terracotta tiles for the sitting room, and doing a bit of antique shopping along the way.

And of course, we ate extremely well: pizza, pasta, and some very good rosé.

You can watch it all unfold on the Julie in Italy channel, which has just gone live.

Busy writing on Substack

I’ve been particularly prolific on Substack lately. My newest essay, “The Night a 12-Year-Old American Heiress Watched Joan of Arc,” draws on Alberta’s extraordinary unpublished diaries kept from 1887 to at least 1900.

This is the first in a series exploring her remarkable record of a life lived at the very edge of history, and I think you are going to love following along.

I also published a wonderful piece on Edith Wharton, which has been doing really well.

If you haven’t read them yet, it’s well worth your time: two fascinating women, two very different windows into the Gilded Age.

Read about Alberta

Easter at Mapperton

Here in the UK, we’ve had Good Friday and Easter Monday off, which meant a proper long weekend. All four children were down at Mapperton, and we had a wonderful meal together in the dining room, which was made all the more entertaining by the fact that the Easter trail was in full swing just outside. There’s something rather lovely about a family lunch with the sound of children hunting for golden eggs in the background.

Training update

On a more personal note, I’ve been getting some good runs in with Emma. As you may remember, Emma, Jack, and I are training for the Amsterdam marathon in October, so the miles are starting to build. It’s wonderful to have a training partner, and even better when that partner is your daughter.

As always, thank you for reading and for being part of this journey. There is so much coming in the weeks ahead—the book announcement, new Substack series, and plenty more besides—and I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

I am writing this from the United States after one of the most extraordinary heritage trips Luke and I have ever taken. We were invited to speak at the inaugural Living History Natchez festival in Mississippi, and the entire experience reminded us just how powerful the love of historic houses can be.

It was a week full of restoration stories, passionate preservationists, historic homes, music, and Southern hospitality.

In this newsletter you will find:

• Our sunny stop in Fairhope, Alabama
• Arriving in Natchez and the historic house where we stayed
• A wonderful patron evening at Holly Hedges
• Our presentation on preserving Mapperton
• A standing ovation and the key to the city of Natchez
• Touring remarkable historic houses on the Natchez tour
• A magical recreation of the Jenny Lind concert of 1851
• A final visit to an inspiring restoration project

Let’s begin at the beginning…

Fairhope, Alabama: a perfect beginning

We flew from London to New Orleans and picked up a convertible Mustang, which felt like the only proper way to begin a road trip across the American South. (Luke always goes for a Mustang!)

Our first stop was Fairhope, Alabama. This was a place we had been wanting to visit ever since speaking in Alabama last year at the Wilcox Historical Society. Everyone we met there told us the same thing: y’ou must go to Fairhope!’

They were absolutely right.

Fairhope sits right on Mobile Bay and the moment we arrived we were greeted with sunshine, warm weather, and incredibly kind people. It was exactly the kind of place that invites you to slow down and enjoy being outside!

We walked along the waterfront, I did a 10K run to help fight the jet lag, and we enjoyed some wonderful farm-to-table meals. One highlight neither of us will forget was a strawberry shortcake baked Alaska that was flambéed right at the table. We had never seen anything like it!

Between runs, gym sessions, and a bit of writing time, it was the perfect way to ease into the trip before the real reason we had come to the United States.

Arriving in Natchez

From Fairhope we drove west to Natchez, Mississippi for Living History Natchez.

This was the inaugural year of the festival, organised by Laine and Kevin from the hit YouTube channel and Instagram account ‘@ourrestorationnation’ , and when they first contacted us several months ago we said YES immediately! Their passion for historic preservation aligns perfectly with what we believe in at Mapperton.

The founders of Living History Natchez kindly put us up in a beautiful historic house, Edelweiss, overlooking the Mississippi River. The house was built in the 1890s during the Gilded Age, which felt rather fitting considering how much of the architecture in Natchez dates to that same period.

Natchez is truly a town where history lives in the buildings. Walking through its streets you immediately feel that sense of continuity.

The Patron evening at Holly Hedges

The week began with a wonderful Patron party hosted by Tammy and Wes at their gorgeous historic house called Holly Hedges.

Nearly 50 patrons attended! And they were all passionate about historic houses and preservation. It was such a warm and welcoming evening. Guests arrived with glasses of fizz, and there was white wine, beer, soft drinks, and of course plenty of sweet tea.

The food was outstanding! Suzie and her team prepared a beautiful spread of canapés and Southern dishes, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and joyful.

This is the menu she put together:

• Zesty, Lemon Marinated Gulf Shrimp

• Mushroom Filo Tartlets

• Suzie’s Classic Deviled Eggs: savory, creamy filling 1/2 of the topped with green olive and 1/2 with capers

• Endive Cup with Bleu Cheese Mousse, Toasted Pecan, and 1/2 Grape

• Crisp Genoa Salami Cup with Brie Cheese, Chives, and Suzie’s Flowering Fig Jam

It was the perfect beginning to the week and gave us the chance to meet so many people who care deeply about historic houses.

Our presentation: Preserving England’s Finest Manor House, Mapperton

The next evening, Luke and I gave our presentation at the Natchez Convention Center.

More than 200 people attended (it was sold out!), which was incredibly humbling!

Our talk was called “Preserving England’s Finest Manor House,” and we shared the story of Mapperton across the centuries. We talked about the 1st Earl of Sandwich, the 4th Earl, and (of course) Alberta Sturges, whose life connects American and British history in such a fascinating way.

We also spoke about how we began documenting our restoration work during Covid through our YouTube channel Mapperton Live! and how that storytelling has helped build a global community of people who care about heritage.

During the presentation we discussed several of the projects currently underway at the estate:

• The conservation of the 18th century peacock tapestries
• The restoration of Alberta’s House of Worth dress
• The preservation of the 18th century Japanese ‘Tale of Genji’ screens
• The Mapperton Wildlands nature recovery project
• The care of the family’s coronation robes

The talk lasted about an hour. When we finished the audience stood up for a standing ovation, which was incredibly moving!

And of course there was the unexpected honour. The Mayor of Natchez presented Luke and me with the key to the city!

It was a moment we will never forget.

Meeting heritage lovers from across America

After the talk we held a meet-and-greet session, which had completely sold out.

More than 100 people attended, and it was such fun getting to meet everyone. People had travelled from all over the United States to attend Living History Natchez!

We were told that visitors from 44 different states were represented during the week, which shows just how much enthusiasm there is for heritage and historic houses.

Touring Natchez’s historic houses

One of the central events of Living History Natchez is the tour of homes.

More than a dozen historic houses were open to the public across two weekends. We were not able to visit them all, but we managed to tour 5 during our time there.

Two particularly memorable houses were Wigwam and Propinquity. The restoration work happening inside these homes is extraordinary.

The homeowners are doing meticulous work to preserve the structure of the buildings and the stories that live inside them. You could see how much care and dedication goes into maintaining these historic properties!

Even the houses we did not manage to visit had long queues of people waiting outside to tour them.

The Jenny Lind concert

One of the most magical moments of the week was the recreation of a historic concert by Jenny Lind.

Jenny Lind was the famous Swedish opera singer often called the “Swedish Nightingale.” She performed in Natchez in March 1851 during her famous American tour.

This year marked the 175th anniversary of that visit, and the festival recreated the concert.

Earlier that day, we had visited Propinquity where the owners showed us something remarkable. They had preserved the original programme from the 1851 Jenny Lind concert!

Seeing that programme and then attending the recreated concert later that evening felt like stepping back into history.

Afterwards we rode in a horse drawn carriage through the streets of Natchez to an after drinks gathering where guests enjoyed canapés, macarons, and another glass of fizz. It was beautifully organised and such a special way to end the evening.

A television interview on historic houses

While we were in the region, I was also invited to appear on a morning television programme, Great Day Louisiana, to talk about the Gilded Age and historic houses!

One of the fascinating things about New Orleans is how many historic buildings have survived. Unlike New York, which demolished many of its Gilded Age mansions during waves of redevelopment, New Orleans preserved much of its architectural heritage.

That slower pace of development meant that today you can still see entire neighbourhoods filled with historic buildings.

A remarkable restoration at Hope Farm

Before leaving Natchez, we visited one more extraordinary project.

Laine and Kevin, the co-founders of Living History Natchez, are restoring a historic house called Hope Farm. The property suffered a devastating fire in 2023.

Rather than walk away, they began rebuilding it using reclaimed wood and traditional materials. The project is ambitious and SO inspiring.

Eventually the house will become a bed and breakfast, welcoming visitors into a restored historic home.

Seeing the work underway was a powerful reminder that preservation often requires resilience as much as passion.

Why Natchez matters

One of the things that struck us most during the week was the enthusiasm of the visitors.

At several houses we saw long lines of people waiting to tour. Clearly Living History Natchez has tapped into something meaningful!

Historic houses tell stories about architecture, families, and communities, and events like this bring those stories back to life.

If you love heritage and restoration, I cannot recommend Natchez strongly enough. It is truly one of the most fascinating historic towns in America.

Follow the story

If you would like to follow the projects behind this new festival, you can find them here:

• Living History Natchez on Instagram
• Our Restoration Nation on Instagram
• And of course on Mapperton Live! and American Countess YouTube channels...because you KNOW that we filmed it all!

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community and for supporting the preservation of historic places.

Xx Julie

Did you catch the major announcement via the American Countess YouTube channel this weekend?

I have officially launched my most ambitious project to date:

I’ve been working on this behind the scenes for months, and I’m beyond excited that it’s officially here!

Ever since launching the American Countess channel and diving into research on Britain’s stately homes, Gilded Age history, and conservation at Mapperton, the projects and the platforms I’m building have grown.

So I wanted one place to house it all and to celebrate the support of the Patrons (now Society Members!) who have made it all happen.

The Countess of Sandwich Society website currently holds a digital archive of the high-quality films we’ve produced, which feature incredible country houses as they are right now: the families that live in them; the collections they keep; the history they represent.

Members are the beating heart of the Society. Their contributions via the Patreon platform go completely to production. They are truly helping to preserve history for future generations.

So, the them, I send my biggest heartfelt thank you! I’m SO grateful.

And if you’re not a Member yet, now is the time join. You’ll get a beautiful Member certificate and a place on the Member wall on the website. Inside of the Member platform, you’ll have access to behind-the-scenes videos and info, extra content, and invites to Member events. And, when we launch the conversation prize, YOU will get the deciding votes.

You’ll also know that you’re part of preserving history that is slowly starting to fade.

I would absolutely love you to join.

Here’s to a new chapter!

Join the Countess of Sandwich Society

Xx Julie

The past few weeks have felt SO full. It’s the kind of stretch where history, travel, filming, and family life all seem to braid together at once. From Paris to Claydon House and my birthday (!!) to the final push on the Mapperton book, there has been a great deal quietly unfolding behind the scenes.

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

• Filming at Claydon House for the American Countess channel
• Walking in Alberta’s footsteps in Paris and Versailles
• A Fire Horse birthday celebration with all four children
• Behind the scenes of the Mapperton illustrated book shoot
• Our upcoming Natchez visit and ticket reminder
• A very special launch arriving 7 March

Let’s dive in!

My talk at the Victoria and Albert Museum

As I’m writing this, I JUST finished giving a talk on Alberta at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This felt like the big leagues, and I was SO nervous!

I spent weeks putting this talk together, which focused on Alberta’s views of marriage in a time when almost all Dollar Princesses were entering into transactional romances.

I covered Alberta’s letters, of course! And I read a lot of her quotes from the time when she was considering whether or not she’d marry George.

Thanks SO much to everyone who came to support me. I’m still buzzing from it, and I hope to do more talks like this in the future!

Filming at Claydon House

One of last week’s true milestones was filming: we went to our very first National Trust property! We’ve been trying to go to National Trust houses for years…it was incredible and Claydon House is EXTRAORDINARY.

Filming there was one of those days that reminds me why I love this work so much. The setting, the stories, the atmosphere: all of it came together beautifully. We filmed a very special piece for the American Countess YouTube channel, and I cannot wait to share what is coming.

Do make sure you are subscribed, because something rather exciting will be launching on 7 March, and you will not want to miss it.

Subscribe to American Countess

In Alberta’s footsteps through Paris and Versailles

From Italy to Paris and back again…and what a meaningful journey it was!

While in Paris, I retraced Alberta’s steps using her January 1890 diary entry, written when she was just twelve years old. Walking where she walked, and reading her words on site, always brings history into startling focus.

Versailles was, as ever, extraordinary. Visiting the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet through Alberta’s eyes was one of those moments where past and present seem to briefly overlap.

It is precisely why this work continues to feel so alive. I wrote about it on my Substack, so be sure that you subscribe over there, because more Alberta travel is coming!

Gilded Heiresses Substack

A Fire Horse birthday

This year I properly celebrated my birthday on 17 February, which was also the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse!

We marked the occasion with a Chinese family dinner of course, and for the first time in a while all four children were around the table together, which felt rather special.

There is something about these full-table moments that becomes more meaningful every year.

A very joyful way to begin the Fire Horse year.

Behind the scenes of the Mapperton book

We’ve just completed the final major photography day for the forthcoming Mapperton illustrated book…nearly thirteen months after our very first shoot day!

Principal photographer Jessica and stylist Malcolm were both here, and we focused on capturing the final interiors, portraits, and winter light moments needed for the book.

It was one of those long, slightly exhausting, but deeply satisfying days. The book will contain around 300 photographs, and we are currently on track to announce it officially in April.

More soon, but it is starting to feel very real.

Current wellbeing favourites

As many of you know, I always try to weave in small practices that help keep energy steady through very full seasons.

Right now my newest enthusiasm is the sauna followed by cold immersion. And I have to say, I am completely converted. I am also very excited about my new Garmin, which is now faithfully tracking spinning, yoga, and running.

Small rhythms, but they make a remarkable difference.

Natchez, we are nearly on our way!

A quick reminder that Luke and I will be in Natchez, Mississippi beginning 11 March (with the Patron gathering on 10 March).

We cannot wait to see so many of you there. Our meet and greet is now sold out, but there are still some tickets remaining for our main presentation on Wednesday evening, along with a full week of wonderful events across the town.

Book tickets

P.S. If you’re planning to come to the Patron Party on the 10th and haven’t received an email with information about it, please email Shelly: shelly@mapperton.com. (We switched email servers and fear that we may have missed some confirmations during the down time!)

As ever, thank you for following along on this slightly mad and always fascinating journey through history, houses, and the occasional airport dash.

Very much looking forward to sharing what comes next.

With love,
Julie xx

It feels as though this talk has crept up on me…and now it is almost here.

I’ve been at my computer for DAYS perfecting ever part of it, and I’d LOVE for you to watch it (in person or online).

On 2 March at 7pm UK time (2pm in New York), I’ll be at the Victoria and Albert Museum speaking all about Alberta and the story that continues to unfold through her letters and diaries.

Every time I return to her papers, I find something new…and this lecture includes discoveries I have not shared publicly before.

If you would like to join me, there are two options:

In-person tickets: You can buy them here.

Virtual Tickets: You can buy them here.

I would absolutely love to know if you are coming! Do let me know below so that I can watch for your name on the list.

It has been such a joy preparing this talk, and I cannot wait to share these newly transcribed moments from Alberta’s own words with you.

With love,
Julie ✨