Polesden Lacey
Claremont Landscape Garden Hampton Court Kew Gardens Loseley Park Painshill Gardens Polesden Lacey Titsey Place Wisley Gardens	The thumbnails below are linked to larger pictures The elegant Regency Villa at Poleden Lacey was completed in 1824 designed by Thomas Cubitt, with substantial modifications by Ambrose Poynter in 1903. The early history of the house extends back a lot further to playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan who lived in a much loved country mansion on the site in the 17th century. Mrs. Greville and her husband the captain the Hon. Ronald Greville bought the Polesden estate in 1906 and commissioned Mewes and Davis the architects of the Ritz Hotel, to convert it into a house fit for royalty, namely Edward VII. The fact that we are free to visit this beautiful estate today is due to the generosity of Mrs. Ronald Greville. Mrs. Greville's life revolved around travel and entertaining the rich and famous including royalty, which she did very successfully for over 30 years. On her death in 1942 she bequeathed Polesden and her art collections to the National Trust, with the stipulation that it should be open to the public at all times and her treasures placed on permanent display. As well as the villa, the 1400 acre estate with wonderful views across the downs, includes two farms, an Edwardian formal garden of some 30 acres, plus woodland and Ranmore Common to the South. The centrepiece of the Edwardian garden is the extensive rose garden with its arched avenues supporting a prolific display of climbing roses. There are also herbaceous borders a rock garden, winter garden and croquet lawn. Mrs. Grevilles grave lies behind the house together with a dog's cemetery of much loved pets. Polesden Lacey is located at Great Bookham near Dorking in Surrey off the A246. *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information*