In 1905 orphan Helen Schlegel is visiting the wealthy Wilcox family she and her sister Margaret met on holiday at their country house Howard's End and writes to inform Margaret of her engagement to the Wilcox's younger son Paul. However, under family pressure, the couple back down. Returning to London Helen attends a concert where the sisters meet Leonard Bast, a married clerk with a fondness for culture. The Wilcoxes also buy a flat in London, where Paul's mother Ruth takes a shine to Margaret, inviting her to stay at Howard's End. Written by don @ minifie-1

Following Mrs Wilcox's funeral her family is shocked to find that, on a scribbled note, she left Howard's End to Margaret, who frequently visited her in her last days. Unaware of this the Schlegel sisters are visited by Leonard's wife Jacky, who, finding Margaret's card, suspects the worst of him but he later turns up to explain things to them. Hearing that Leonard is facing redundancy the sisters invite him to warn him but he feels patronized and leaves abruptly. Meanwhile Henry Wilcox, learning that the Schlegels are to be evicted, offers them a tenancy in London. Written by don @ minifie-1

Henry Wilcox proposes to Margaret and, despite Helen's view that he is unemotional, she accepts but Henry's elder son Charles is also antagonistic, feeling that Margaret's only motive is to own Howard's End. Helen is angry with Henry since following his advice has resulted in Leonard's unemployment and brings the Basts to confront him at his daughter's wedding. To Margaret's amazement Jacky Bast recognizes Henry as having had an extra-marital affair with her, causing Henry to consider breaking the engagement, whilst Helen and Leonard have a heart to heart conversation after Jacky has fallen asleep. Written by don @ minifie-1

Margaret forgives Henry for his affair with Jacky Bast and their marriage goes ahead. Helen, still angry with them , is absent having travelled to Germany but left her brother Tibby with money to give to Leonard, which Leonard refuses. The newly-weds move into Howard's End and, when the sisters' Aunt Juley falls ill, Henry lures Helen there, where Margaret gets a shock, leading her to cross her husband. Leonard also turns up, with horrifying consequences which ultimately decide the fate of Howard's End. Written by don @ minifie-1