I would recommend that anyone visiting England, to be sure and visit an historic house in the country. Many of these are owned by the National Trust. On the National Trust website under "About us", they state that "we're a UK conservation charity, protecting historic places and green spaces, and opening them up for ever, for everyone." I love that. "opening them up for ever, for everyone."
Recently, some friends and I traveled to Polesden Lacey. It's a short train ride from Victoria Station in the beautiful countryside of Surrey. I found it on the National Trust website, and I think I picked it because I liked the name! However, I found out there was a lot more to it then just a charming name.
The first house was built on this site in 1336. The name Polesden is thought to be Saxon. The core of the house that is there today was built in 1824.
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| Portrait of Mrs. Greville |
The last owner of the house was Mrs. Ronnie Greville, who was the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish politician and brewer. He bought it for her as a wedding present.
Mrs. Greville became an important society hostess of Edwardian London. She used this as her country home and entertained with extravagant parties on the weekend. She became friends with the future Queen Elizabeth and attracted royalty to her parties.
They had ensuite bathrooms, telephones and many other modern convienences which were unheard of in that era.
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| The Saloon |
The Saloon of the house was brought from Venice piece by piece and was shipped to England and then reconstructed to make this room.
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| Perhaps Mrs. Greville's? |
The style of the Tea Room was completely different than the Saloon and none of the rooms were decorated in a coherent style.
We learned of the story of one dinner party where King Edward the VII was in attendance. (Queen Alexandra was back in London and never went to Polesden Lacey). On the right of him was his present mistress and on the left was Mrs. Greville. Across the table was his past mistress. How interesting that dinner conversation must have been!
Polesden Lacey became the center of England's social scene in the 1920's and 1930's. Maggie had grown up insecure (her parents married when she was 21), and perhaps because of that, she was intent on acquiring money and social prestige. She was a favorite of the future George VI and Elizabeth (the Queen Mum.) In fact, they spent their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey in 1923.
Mrs. Greville was invited to the coronation of King George VI because of her close relationship with the royals.
The grounds at Polesden Lacey cover 1400 acres and also include a walled rose garden, woodland trails and landscaped gardens with amazing views of the surrounding hills.
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| Rose garden, too late to see the blooms |
At one time, the estate hired thirty full-time gardeners to attend to the gardens.
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| late blooming Fuchsia |
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| Green manicured fields looking out over the Surrey hills |
This was a house on the estate that used to be the head gardener's home. It is now available to "let" for a holiday.
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| More magazine photo shoot. Well, sort of |
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| Front of the house which overlooks the Surrey hills |
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| More magazine photo shoot, take 2 |
We had a wonderful day of exploring England's countryside. It's always fun to get out of the city, take a train ride and go back in time to the Edwardian era, an era of peace and plenty.
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| Lord Plunket must have enjoyed his weekends at Polesden Lacey |
Recently, some friends and I traveled to Polesden Lacey. It's a short train ride from Victoria Station in the beautiful countryside of Surrey. I found it on the National Trust website, and I think I picked it because I liked the name! However, I found out there was a lot more to it then just a charming name.
The style of the Tea Room was completely different than the Saloon and none of the rooms were decorated in a coherent style. 
We learned of the story of one dinner party where King Edward the VII was in attendance. (Queen Alexandra was back in London and never went to Polesden Lacey). On the right of him was his present mistress and on the left was Mrs. Greville. Across the table was his past mistress. How interesting that dinner conversation must have been!
Polesden Lacey became the center of England's social scene in the 1920's and 1930's. Maggie had grown up insecure (her parents married when she was 21), and perhaps because of that, she was intent on acquiring money and social prestige. She was a favorite of the future George VI and Elizabeth (the Queen Mum.) In fact, they spent their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey in 1923. 
Mrs. Greville was invited to the coronation of King George VI because of her close relationship with the royals. 
This was a house on the estate that used to be the head gardener's home. It is now available to "let" for a holiday. 
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