What is a priest hole? The secret features of historic houses uncovered by interior designers

Uncovering the Secrets of Historic Houses

Historic houses are filled with interesting features, each telling a story of the past.

One of the fascinating aspects of English houses is the history and folklore behind them, with each house having its own unique story to tell.

The primary purpose of a house is practical, and the design of centuries-old dwellings reveals how each space was used in the past.

Residents, architects, and designers of old houses were ingenious, creating practical and aesthetic solutions to the problems they faced.

For example, features like the 'wig warmer' showcase the creativity of past designers.

each one tells a story and the older the house, the more chapters that story has.

Interior designers have uncovered many secret features in historic houses, including hidden rooms and secret passages.

One such feature is the "priest hole", a secret hiding place for priests during times of persecution.

Historic houses hold many secrets and stories of the past, waiting to be uncovered by interior designers and historians.

Author's resume: Historic houses have unique stories.

House & Garden — 2025-10-17