... were, and remain, status symbols articulated through their architecture and their contents." (p. 4) So, what Marion Blockley is saying here is that these are not only buildings of great splendour, magnificence, and aesthetic beauty, but that they are also a great source of historic and educational value. Many owners throughout the UK and Ireland that do open their homes to the public are now providing live interpreters, "to provide creative and appropriate presentation in their historic settings" (Marion Blockley 2002 p. 4) and therefore, providing a more enjoyable appreciation of the home. This idea is also supported by Dagmar Abfalter and Harald Pechlaner (2002), who state "Europe's architectural heritage - castles and stately homes - are witnesses to a rich past and culture as well as irreplaceable resources for the tourism industry." (p. 8) Stately Homes: The Attraction In Britain, there are believed to be well over 6,000 stately homes, 800 ...

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