Tucked away in the rolling hills of Gloucestershire lies a remarkable hidden gem: Sezincote House, a breathtaking palace inspired by the majestic Taj Mahal. While the Cotswolds are famous for quaint cottages and golden stone mansions, Sezincote House offers an unexpected splash of Indian architectural grandeur right in the English countryside.
Located near Moreton-in-Marsh within the Sezincote estate—a family-run operation spanning some 3,500 acres of picturesque landscape—this extraordinary residence showcases Neo-Mughal design, a 19th-century revival of the intricate Hindu-Muslim artistic style popular during India’s Mughal Empire. Visitors can explore the house and landscaped gardens which include waterfalls, canals, grottos, temples, and a Persian Garden of Paradise, all embodying the fusion of English and Indian heritage.
Constructed in 1805 by architect Samuel Pepys Cockerell, Sezincote House was commissioned by Charles Cockerell, who envisioned a unique fusion of eastern and western influences after travels across India. Drawing on sketches by the artist Thomas Daniell, the design boldly features red sandstone façades, a distinctive onion-shaped copper dome, ornate peacock-tail windows, and delicate jali (lattice) railings—elements that even influenced the design of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
READ MORE: Cotswolds Comedian Returns Home After Five Months Detained in Turkey Over Shoplifting Allegation
READ MORE: Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Gloucestershire Following Canada Goose Death
Unlike its richly decorated exterior, the interior retains more classical European styling, balancing exotic features with familiar elegance. The estate itself operates a mixed agricultural enterprise, promoting sustainable land management and wildlife habitats, while continuing as a private family home overseen by a brother and sister team with support from successive generations.
Sezincote’s gardens, designed by renowned landscape artist Humphry Repton, blend Renaissance formalism with Indian architectural motifs such as a crescent bridge upheld by intricate columns, minarets, and a temple dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god. This unique combination heightens the garden’s captivating allure for visitors.
Although the house and tearoom are currently closed for the season until 2026, the gardens remain open on Wednesdays through Fridays from October to November. Entry fees are £9 for adults and £3 for children under 16. Combined tickets including house tours will be available upon reopening.
Sezincote House stands as a remarkable testament to cultural exchange and architectural innovation, offering a rare glimpse of Indian magnificence nestled amid the quintessential English countryside.