Best Historic Houses to Visit: Polesden Lacey

Mrs Greville – the formidable Edwardian hostess – reigned over all at Polesden before she gave it to the National Trust in 1942. An example of a ‘rags to riches’ tale, Maggie Greville started life as the illegitimate daughter of a lodge house keeper, only to become famous for ‘collecting’ royalty and politicians, from Edward VII to Mussolini.

Polesden Lacey has 1400 acres of land, with 4 way-marked walks over rolling Surrey hills. Closer by, the formal gardens include luscious rose, iris, peony and lavender gardens. Families are welcome, with lawn games, family tours, quizzes, and trails, and a croquet lawn is available for hire via pre-booking. The South Lawn’s deck chairs make a comfy picnic site.

When you get hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at the Granary Café, which uses produce from Polesden’s kitchen garden, or you can get breakfast, brunch or tea at the Cowshed Coffee shop for fresh pasties straight from Conisbee’s farm next door.

Don’t miss the world-class collection of Dutch Old Master paintings, particularly Gerard ter Borch’s seductive Gentleman and his Lady in the Jacobean picture corridors, and make sure to take a good look at the Saloon while you’re here: it's the English equivalent of Versailles’ ‘Hall of Mirrors’.

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Practical

Opening Times: Open 7 days a week until 1 November, 11 – 5 (11am - last entry at 4:30pm).

Price: Free for National Trust Members. Non-members for grounds and house: adult £13.60 and child £6.80.

Where? 3 miles from Boxhill & Westhumble train station or just off junction 9 of the M25 by car.

Disabled Access: Access to the ground floor of the house, wheelchairs available to book and mobility parking

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