Timeline : the National Trust's finest country houses brought to life

Why are there two staircases in the servants' quarters in Lanhydrock?

Which famous historian lost ?10,000 in a single night's gambling in 1776?

What is scagliola? In this imaginative new departure, the National Trust brings intimate tours of many of its immensely popular country houses to you in a beautifully produced CD-ROM.

Presented by the familiar voices of John Julius Norwich and Joanna David, the CD fully exploits video, audio, interactive 3-D and special photography to guide you authoritatively through the history and treaures of these wonderful houses, their owners, builders and possessions - with fascinating glimpses of country house life through the centuries.

Links to the National Trust's website provide up-to-date information on visiting each of the houses.