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Polesden Lacey
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Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey

Great Bookham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BD, UK

Key Facts

  • Type: Edwardian house and estate on the North Downs, within the Surrey Hills
  • Owned and run by: The National Trust — one of its most popular properties (over 287,000 visitors in 2020/21, placing it in the Trust's top ten)
  • Architectural core: A Regency house built 1821–23 by Thomas Cubitt, extensively remodelled 1906–07 for the Grevilles
  • Remodelling architects: Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis — the architects of The Ritz Hotel, London
  • Estate: Around 1,400–1,600 acres of rolling downland, ancient woodland, formal gardens and landscape walks
  • Famous for: The Gold Saloon, the walled Rose Garden, double herbaceous borders, and Mrs Greville's art collection

Historical Significance

The name "Polesden" is thought to be Old English, and a house has stood here since at least 1336. Anthony Rous rebuilt the medieval house in 1630; the economist Arthur Moore added an octagonal pavilion in the 1720s; and in 1797 the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan came to live here and began (counter-productive) improvements. The core of today's house was created in 1821–23 when the bookseller Joseph Bonsor commissioned Thomas Cubitt to build an entirely new house. The estate passed through the Geary and Farquhar families until, in 1906–07, it was bought by the brewing multimillionaire William McEwan for his daughter Margaret and her husband the Hon. Ronald Greville, who remodelled it into the sumptuous Edwardian mansion of today. Ronald died in 1908 aged just 46, and Margaret — "a galumphing, greedy, snobbish old toad" in Cecil Beaton's unkind words, but "so shrewd, so kind and so amusingly unkind... altogether a character" in the Queen Mother's — spent three decades as one of the great Edwardian hostesses, filling the house with fine paintings, furniture, porcelain and silver. In 1923 she invited the Duke and Duchess of York (the future George VI and Queen Elizabeth) to honeymoon at Polesden Lacey, where they spent two weeks in the King's Suite designed for Edward VII.

How To Get There

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Getting to Polesden Lacey

map for Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey Photo Gallery

Photographs taken of the House and Gardens in 2024.

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Estate House with Daisy-Strewn Lawn under Dramatic Skies
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A top-down view of a grand hall with dark wood panelling, a large brass chandelier, a sofa with a floral pattern, and a view through a window and doorway..
Interior View of a Grand Hall with Chandelier and Tapestry
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Interior view of a grand hall with three large, detailed tapestries on the wall, a dark wood fireplace and panelling, a multi-armed chandelier, a sofa and chairs with floral patterns, and a balcony overlooking the room.
Grand Entrance Hall with Historic Tapestries and Ornate Woodwork
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A formal dining room with a large round table set for a meal, surrounded by wooden chairs with pink cushions. The walls are covered in red damask wallpaper and feature several large portraits in gilded frames. The floor is covered in a rich red carpet.
A Glimpse into Grand Dining: A Formal Setting in a Period Room
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A wide shot of a luxurious library interior. Tall, fluted columns frame bookshelves filled with leather-bound books. Two large blue and white porcelain vases stand on ornate stands. A round side table holds a lamp and a bouquet of flowers.
A Grand Library Interior with Blue and White Porcelain Vases
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A wide shot of a long, opulent library room with three women standing near a central table. Bookshelves line the walls, and sunlight streams through tall windows.
Inside Polesden Lacey House
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A view of a drawing room with yellow upholstered furniture, two bookcases filled with books, a fireplace with a portrait above it, and decorative vases.
A Sumptuous Drawing Room in a Historic Residence
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A well-lit, ornate drawing-room interior showcasing a large marble fireplace with a gold clock and decorative elements, a dark wood grand piano reflecting blue light, and gilded walls with deep red drapery covering a tall window.
A Glimpse into a Lavish Historical Drawing-Room
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A dimly lit, luxurious billiard room with a green snooker table, chandeliers, and antique furniture.
Elegant Billiard Room in a Historic Residence
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A long, wide hallway in a stately home, with a rich magenta carpet, dark wood panelling, and plush red curtains. Gold-framed paintings hang on the walls and a decorative patterned ceiling is visible.
Opulent Hallway with Rich Velvet and Ornate Decor
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A large, ornate gold-framed painting of two boys and a donkey on a red damask patterned wall, above a black lacquered cabinet with ornate gold and red detailing, containing silver teaware and ornaments. A decorative ceramic swan sits on top of the cabinet.
Grand Portrait of Two Boys with a Donkey, Displayed Above an Ornate Cabinet
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A long hallway with a red carpet and dark wooden columns opens into a room where bare trees are illuminated with striking blue lights, creating a magical effect.
Arched Hallway Reveals Illuminated Winter Forest Scene
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up shot of a table laden with various baked goods, including a chocolate cake decorated with strawberries, a pink and white striped cake topped with strawberries, and several small tarts. Baking equipment such as scales and bowls are also visible.
Inside Polesden Lacey Houese - Kitchem
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A still life photograph depicting a woven basket filled with red and green grapes, plums, and oranges, placed on a marble-topped dresser. Two red apples and a tray of small appetizers are also visible, with a yellow wall in the background.
A Rustic Display of Autumnal Harvest and Savory Bites
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A woven wicker basket filled with bunches of artificial grapes in shades of cream, red, green, and dark purple. A red apple and an orange are nestled amongst the grapes, with artificial leaves providing a touch of greenery. The basket sits on a mottled marble surface, with the background a soft yellow.
Still Life of Assorted Grapes and Fruit in a Wicker Basket
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up shot of a decorative porcelain plate filled with bright red strawberries and golden-brown scones dusted with powdered sugar, alongside a plate of artfully crafted petit fours.
Afternoon Tea Delights: Assorted Petit Fours and Fresh Strawberries with Scones
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries sits to the left of a pink glazed cake decorated with biscuit fingers, strawberries, and raspberries.
A Chocolate Cake and a Strawberry and Raspberry Charlotte Cake
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A long kitchen counter covered with a white tablecloth displays several cakes and pastries, alongside bowls, a scale, and a basket of fruit. A vintage cabinet stands to the right, and the walls are painted yellow.
A Still Life of a Victorian-Era Kitchen Counter Laden with Desserts and Fruit
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A wide shot of a grand yellow country house with a portico, set within extensive parkland. A large, green lawn stretches towards a backdrop of dense, green woodland. The sky is filled with dramatic, dark grey clouds, with patches of lighter sky visible.
A Country House Estate with a Lush Lawn and Woodland Backdrop
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Wide shot of a large, green lawn in an English garden with white wildflowers, several empty deckchairs, a few distant figures, and a backdrop of lush, rolling hills and trees under a cloudy sky.
A Picturesque View of a Mown Lawn in a Historic English Estate Garden
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A garden path leads to ornate black iron gates set between brick pillars and stone walls, opening to a view of bright green shrubs and a lush woodland in the distance.
Polesden Lacey Gardens
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A view through a garden opening, showing a well-manicured lawn, tall hedges, and a person playing croquet in the distance, with a backdrop of trees and a cloudy blue sky.
A Picturesque Garden Scene with Sculpted Hedges and Distant Landscape
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A gravel garden path curves towards a rustic thatched-roof structure, surrounded by abundant green foliage. A wooden bench sits to the left, and two small bicycles are visible on the path.
A Serene Garden Scene
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A symmetrical garden path directs the eye towards a stone fountain depicting cherubs, with tall, clipped hedges on either side. Beyond, a thatched building peeks through dense green foliage.
A Serene View of a Formal Garden
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Edwardian Garden Path with Sculptures and Red Hot Pokers
A Garden Scene with Rambling Roses and Alliums
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A wide shot of a formal English garden path lined with manicured hedges and colourful flower beds, featuring various plants like alliums and lady's mantle, with trees and distant figures under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A Picturesque Summer Garden Walk with Abundant Flora
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A garden path with a gravel surface curves to the left, with lush green foliage and flowering plants on the right. A large bush covered in small purple flowers grows next to a red brick wall. Two people are walking away from the camera down the path.
Serene Garden Walkway with Abundant Spring Flowers
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
An image of a garden path with various flowers, plants, two stone statues, and a white bench.
English Garden Scene with Statuary and Vibrant Flora
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A bumblebee with black and yellow stripes is collecting pollen from a vibrant purple allium flower. The flower has a spherical shape made up of many small florets. The background is a soft blur of green foliage.
A Macro Shot of a Bumblebee on a Vibrant Purple Allium Flower
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A bumblebee with black and yellow stripes is collecting pollen from a vibrant purple allium flower. The flower has a spherical shape made up of many small florets. The background is a soft blur of green foliage.
A Macro Shot of a Bumblebee on a Vibrant Purple Allium Flower
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A stem with multiple clusters of tiny white flowers with delicate petals and protruding stamens, set against a blurred background of large, dark green leaves.
Clusters of Small White Wildflowers
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Stone sundial with cherub statues as support, set in a garden with a hedge and lawn.
Garden Sundial Supported by Putti Statues
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Gravel path leading through decorative brick pillars and wrought-iron gates into a bright green English country garden with rolling hills in the background.
An inviting entrance to a verdant English country garden, framed by ornate brick pillars and wrought-iron gates.
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A stone sundial with a bronze statue stands in a garden bed, with a tall green hedge behind it and a building and trees in the distance.
Ornate Sundial and Statue in Formal Gardene
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A gardener kneels by a gravel path in a formal garden, working on the lawn edge.
A Gardener Kneels on a Gravel Path, Maintaining a Well-Kept Hedge Garden
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A detailed photograph of a red and yellow Red Hot Poker flower spike with a bee.
Red Hot Poker Bloom with Bee
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up, top-down view of a fully bloomed, bright pink peony flower with layered petals. The background is a soft blur of green leaves.
A Close-Up of a Bright Pink Peony Flower
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up shot of a pink peony flower with many ruffled petals, surrounded by dark green leaves.
Vibrant Peony in Bloom
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up, top-down view of a fully bloomed, bright pink peony flower with layered petals. The background is a soft blur of green leaves.
A Close-Up of a Bright Pink Peony Flower
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A macro photograph showing the intricate structure of an allium flower head in its early development stage. Numerous small, green seed pods are clustered on thin purple stems radiating from a central point, with hints of other blurred pink and green flowers in the background.
Emerging Allium Flower Head
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A detailed photograph of a round, purple Allium flower head composed of many small florets, set against a blurred background of green leaves.
Purple Allium Blooms Against Lush Greenery
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Close-up of many small, spherical purple chive flowers with delicate petals, surrounded by slender green stems. Bees are visible on some of the flowers.
A Meadow of Purple Chive Blossoms
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A macro photograph of several pink roses with layered petals. The central rose is in sharp focus, displaying shades of pink and coral. The background consists of dark green leaves, some of which show signs of yellowing.
Close-up of a cluster of pink roses, showcasing their delicate petals and lush green foliage.
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up photograph of a peach-coloured rose in full bloom. The rose has many densely packed petals and a warm, peachy hue. Around it are green rose leaves, some with dark spots, and a few rosebuds and a pale yellow rose in the lower corner.
Vibrant Peach Rose Blooms Amidst Verdant Foliage
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up photograph of several blooming pink peonies with lush green leaves in the background.
Delicate Pink Peonies in Bloom
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A close-up photograph of a single, fully open pink rose with layered petals. The flower is surrounded by green leaves and thorny stems.
A Beautifully Detailed Pink Rose in a Garden Setting
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A bright pink, multi-petaled rose in full bloom, set against a backdrop of dark green rose leaves.
A close-up shot of a lush, fully opened pink rose,
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
A vibrant pinkish-purple rose with many layered petals. The background is filled with soft green leaves.
Close-up of a Single Fuchsia Rose
Michael Gaylard ©www.mgaylard.co.uk.