Nestled on the North Downs in Surrey, Polesden Lacey is a 1,600-acre National Trust estate combining an opulent Edwardian mansion with sweeping gardens, ancient woodland and panoramic views of the Surrey Hills.
Once the private retreat of famed hostess Margaret Greville, it now invites visitors to explore layers of history, art and landscape design.
Polesden Lacey
The first recorded house on the site dates back to 1336, anchoring Polesden Lacey’s long heritage in English country life.
In 1821–23, master builder Thomas Cubitt erected the core of today’s mansion, introducing the elegant proportions and refined symmetry characteristic of Regency architecture.
Margaret Greville acquired the estate in 1906 and commissioned Mewès & Davis—the architects behind London’s Ritz Hotel—to reimagine the house as a glittering social hub. Under her patronage, grand reception rooms and intimate drawing rooms hosted royalty and politicians alike, cementing the house’s reputation for lavish gatherings.
A close confidante of the royal family, Greville welcomed the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) for their honeymoon in 1923. When she died in 1942, she left Polesden Lacey and her fine art and jewellery collections “for the largest number of people to have enjoyment thereof,” a legacy the National Trust honored by opening the house to the public in 1946.
Polesden Lacey’s gardens extend directly from the mansion across manicured terraces and into ancient woodland. Formal rose beds, clipped yew hedges and a secluded walled vegetable garden showcase Edwardian garden design, while wildflower meadows and veteran beech trees support butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
About Polesden Lacey
Audio guides bring to life anecdotes of Greville’s glittering parties, her diamond tiara and the Queen Mother’s honeymoon suite. The route highlights masterpieces of French porcelain, Chippendale furniture and Greville’s jewellery bequest.
Meander through rose terraces, relax on the south lawn or follow waymarked paths into the surrounding woodlands. Seasonal colour peaks in late spring (tulips and rhododendrons) and autumn (golden beech leaves).
Although not waymarked on site, local guides recommend a six-mile loop that passes through Ranmore Common and returns via Denbies Vineyard, offering panoramic views across the Surrey Hills and a chance to sample English sparkling wine.
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