Polesden Lacey — Land & Legacy

Polesden Lacey is a Grade II listed historic building in Surrey, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey is a Regency villa near Great Bookham in Surrey, set within the North Downs.

The house took its present form in the 1820s and later became the country retreat of Margaret Greville, one of the most prominent Edwardian hostesses.

The National Trust has cared for the house and its estate since 1942.

Visitors can see the reception rooms much as the Grevilles left them, along with walled and rose gardens on the grounds.

History of Polesden Lacey

The playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan owned an earlier house on the site in the early 1800s, before it was rebuilt in the 1820s for Joseph Bonsor. In 1906 the estate was purchased for Margaret Greville and her husband Ronald. Margaret filled it with art and used it to entertain royalty, politicians and society figures over three decades. She left the house and its contents to the National Trust on her death in 1942.

Architecture of Polesden Lacey

The house is a Regency villa, substantially remodelled in the 1820s, with later Edwardian interior alterations carried out for the Grevilles to suit a grander style of entertaining.

Worth knowing

The future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent part of their 1923 honeymoon at Polesden Lacey as guests of Margaret Greville, who was renowned for her royal and political connections.

Gardens & grounds at Polesden Lacey

The grounds include a long formal rose garden and a walled garden, both popular with visitors beyond the house itself.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Shop Picnic area EV charging Restaurant Accessible toilets Cycle parking Baby changing

Plan your visit to Polesden Lacey

Prices Opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Box Hill & Westhumble Rail Station (2 miles)

Part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape: see all the National Trust places there, with a map and day-trip routes.

Places to visit near Polesden Lacey

West Horsley Place

historic house 3.0 miles

View West Horsley Place on heritage map

Netley Park

historic building 4.2 miles

View Netley Park on heritage map

Hatchlands Park

historic building 4.3 miles

View Hatchlands Park on heritage map

Holmwood Common

historic building 4.6 miles

View Holmwood Common on heritage map

Old St Peter and St Paul's Church, Albury

church 5.2 miles

View Old St Peter and St Paul's Church, Albury on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Polesden Lacey (RH5) there are 4 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings, across National Trust and Historic Houses sites.

3 National Trust

1 Historic Houses

3 Historic building

1 Historic house

See these 4 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Polesden Lacey (RH5) there are 10 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings, 2 churchs and 2 historic houses, across National Trust, Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.

6 National Trust

2 Churches Conservation Trust

2 Historic Houses

5 Historic building

2 Church

2 Historic house

1 Garden

See these 10 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Polesden Lacey (RH5) there are 59 historic properties, including 30 historic buildings, 17 historic houses and 4 palaces, across National Trust, Historic Houses and English Heritage sites.

25 National Trust

18 Historic Houses

11 English Heritage

3 Historic Royal Palaces

2 Churches Conservation Trust

30 Historic building

17 Historic house

4 Palace

3 Garden