Events

Behind the façade at Polesden Lacey

9th June 2025, 10:00 - 13:30

Behind the façade at Polesden Lacey

Great Bookham

10am – 1.30pm

A look behind the scenes at one of the National Trust’s busiest properties, Polesden Lacey. How does a property with 400,000 visitors per annum provide access ‘for everyone’ and yet still keep an eye on conservation.

The house the Grevilles bought in 1907 was practically a new building. They employed Mewès and Davis, the architects of the Ritz hotel, to help transform the interiors of their new weekend retreat. One thing was for sure – Mrs Greville wanted her house to impress.

Following the death of her husband Ronnie, Super-rich socialite, Dame Margaret Greville, was the last private owner of Polesden Lacey. Between 1908 and 1942 Polesden was her weekend retreat and the place where she entertained royalty, politicians and celebrities at lavish weekend parties.

On her death in 1942, ‘Maggie’ left the property and most of its contents to the National Trust, with the Royal family benefitting from an assorted chest of jewellery, items of which frequently grace members of the Royal Family today.

After walking down to the House we will grab a tea/coffee before hearing from the property General Manager, Hilary Jarvis, about how the National Trust is organised and more specifically how the 1,520 acre Polesden Lacey Estate operates.

We will then break into two groups with one group taking a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of the house, visiting parts of the building not normally open to the public and looking at some of the conservation work that is being undertaken, and the other group visiting the rose garden for a look at planned conservation work there. The groups will then swap over.

Attendees are welcome to return to view the public areas of the house and to stroll in the gardens after the visit.

Refreshments/lunch are available afterwards from the Coffee Shop or the Granary Café, both situated near the entrance to the property.  This is not included in the price

Please note that the House is ten minute’s walk downhill from the car park. Within the house, there are steep staircases and many individual steps to negotiate.

This event is not suitable for children and/or pushchairs or dogs.

The visit is planned to conclude around 1.30pm

Cost to Members: £20
Cost to Non-members: £30

We will be making a donation on behalf of the Surrey Hills Society, towards restoration of the pergola in the Rose Garden.

This is an old property and there are many steps and steep stairs to negotiate during the tour. There are no lifts available.   Toilets are available.

Deadline for booking 2 June 2025.

Any enquiries please contact us at info@surreyhillssociety.org.

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