Past the winding roads and rolling hills lies the gorgeous house of Polesden Lacey. Used
for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s honeymoon and the permanent residence of Margaret Greville, a famous 19th-20th-century hostess, the house is certainly grand. Located in Surrey, it is a wonderful National Trust property to visit for a day out or, like me, an afternoon escape.
The grounds are beautiful. The gardens are gorgeously and lovingly tended and nurtured- I can only imagine the amount of work that goes into them- and are lovely to stroll around. Get lost in the endless huge trees or bushes and hedges decorating the landscape. I love the National Trust deck chairs that were situated on the lawns for people to take a seat. They added such a relaxed vibe and provided lots of additional seating for the busy season which was fantastic.
The house itself, as previously touched upon, is magnificent. The bright yellow exterior adds a friendly feel upon arrival and the rooms are grand yet cosy. I enjoyed the entrance hallway; beautiful wooden balconies glance down at you from the higher levels as a chandelier sparkles around the room and tells you that you’re entering a luxurious home. The dark red carpet and draped curtains were a particular favourite of mine. They’re so seductive and give you a glimpse into the exclusive and elite culture that danced through these rooms merely one hundred years ago. There’s certainly something magical about it.
Glorious paintings adorn the walls, lacing every hallway and room with an air of sophistication, whilst individual and unique features in each section of the house lends to a whole and exciting viewpoint of the estate over the years. The use of it in the world wars, for example, as a convalescent home is particularly interesting, certainly to me as a historian but also to anyone, at highlighting the shift in these luxury estates from private houses to important places of rest and recuperation in the war effort. It’s fascinating how these elite members of society switched from having their private quarters and sophisticated lifestyle to providing aid and comfort to unfortunate soldiers. It’s glorious!
Libraries are my favourite room in any old house or castle. The library and study at Polesden Lacey don’t compare to that at Arundel Castle, which is spread across two rooms and features upper balconies, but it is very pleasant. Light and airy, I can imagine comfortable sitting at the desk and glancing out the window over the extensive landscape to gain inspiration. In fact, I went to Polesden Lacey to sit in the grounds and do some writing so I can confirm that it’s very relaxing and inspirational to look over the beautiful countryside! The Gold Room is also exquisite and, as the name suggests, lined completely with gold. It’s spectacular and worth seeing.
Overall I would definitely suggest a stroll around the grounds of Polesden Lacey and a marvel at the house that nestles among hem. It’s a gorgeous property and a wonderful place to escape for a day out.
The Girl In The Window 