During its lifetime, the Association acquired nine large country houses, and restored and preserved them until their sale in 2002–4.
At the time of its liquidation in 2003, the CHA owned eight houses:[2][3] A ninth house, Greathed Manor near Dormansland in Surrey (originally called Ford Manor when designed by Robert Kerr, but changed in 1960 to Greathed Manor by the CHA in memory of its founder) had its long lease (commencing in 1959 from the Nichols family, descendants of the Spender-Clay family) sold in about 2002, at the beginning of the association's financial troubles.
in use as retirement or nursing homes, with Aynhoe Park and Gosfield Hall run as wedding and events venues.
It is a charitable grant-giving foundation which supports the preservation of historic houses and gardens, with its Chairman currently being Norman Hudson.
It began to offer grants to restore and repair works of art, in addition to historic houses and gardens.