As is proper for a historical romance... (February 28, 1814)

... the action soon moves to a grand country estate, called (inevitably) Hawksfield Manor. Although located in Northamptonshire, this is modelled on Firle Place, in Sussex, which came to fame through the latest film version of Jane Austen’s Emma. This works because both places lie in England’s limestone belt, so the building material was at hand, and of course the architectural style at that level of society was determined by class rather than location. 

For many years now Firle Place has maintained a wonderful website offering in-depth information about the house and the family, all illustrated with stunning photography. I’ve been visiting and revisiting it for years; it was good to start with and has been getting better all the time. So even if not living in the vicinity you can always go on a virtual visit and, if you happen to be writing a novel, find inspiration and settings.

There are some differences. Most conspicuously, you approach Hawksfield Manor down a long avenue of old beeches. The old entrance hall at the Manor was not transformed into a passageway to the courtyard beyond, as was the case at Firle Place, but remained the entrance hall, so your carriage stops on the gravel sweep in front of it.

To prevent blunders I drew a plan of Hawksfield Manor and its grounds:

    Here's one of the trees in the avenue: