 Polesden Lacey
Situated high up on the North Downs is the ancient estate of Polesden Lacey,
now dominated by the early 19th century house designed by
Thomas Cubitt. Before the present house was built, a 17th
century country mansion, adored by its theatrical owner Richard Sheridan,
occupied the site. With his plans for rebuilding a much grander residence
having been abandoned through illness and financial difficulties, the
old house became ruinous, and was eventually demolished when Joseph
Bonsor, a successful stationer and bookseller, bought the estate in 1818.
Cubitt's instructions to rebuild Polesden Lacey in a neo classical style were carried out in a
rather restrained and dull fashion. At the beginning of the 20th
century, Ambrose Poynter was commissioned to enliven the uninteresting
building by extending and rebuilding the main ranges. Despite even later
alterations to Polesden Lacey, it is largely Poynter's work that prevails today
in the attractive, yellow stucco house with its symmetrical projecting bays.
The main attraction of Polesden Lacey, however, was the enigmatic Edwardian hostess, Mrs Ronald Greville.
Born under shrouded circumstances, Margaret Greville was reputedly
the illegitimate daughter of William McEwan, founder of the famous Scottish
brewery business. Backed by his great wealth and power, she found her
way into London society where she met her husband, Ronald, himself
a great friend of Edward VII. For several years Mr & Mrs Greville's life
revolved around entertaining the rich and famous, including the King,
at their fashionable London home, but Margaret Greville wanted to outshine other
London hostesses by having a second home in the country.
The newly restored house
at Polesden Lacey proved an ideal location, with wonderful views across
The Downs, and easy access from London. Extending Polesden Lacey to provide
an additional suite of rooms for use by Edward VII, Mrs Greville employed
Charles Mewes and Arthur Davis to transform the comfortable but plain
country house into a sumptuous and elegant arena for entertaining. Acclaimed
for their exotic style of French architecture, as seen at The Ritz,
Mewes and Davis oversaw every detail of the building work, decoration,
furnishings and art displays to create a setting literally 'fit for a King'.
Following the premature death of her husband in 1908, Mrs Ronald Greville divided her time between travelling
abroad, and holding lavish dinner parties at both Polesden Lacey and her
London home. She became the 'prima donna' of Edwardian society hostesses
over the next 30 years, as famous for her exquisite French cuisine as
for her distinguished guests. Photographs recording the various occasions
when royalty, heads of state, politicians and titled dignitaries were
entertained are scattered throughout the house. A sizeable and diverse
art collection provides much fascination at Polesden Lacey, with everything
from Dutch Old Masters, an inheritance from her father, to oriental porcelain
and contemporary jewellery.
When she died in 1942, Mrs Greville insisted that Polesden Lacey be made accessible for public
enjoyment, and that her art treasures be placed on permanent display.
This powerful, often controversial, lady was undoubtedly a force to reckon
with during her lifetime and a browse around the few downstairs rooms,
the only ones open to the public, reveal something of her flamboyant and
colourful character. Determined to have a lasting presence at Polesden
Lacey, her grave is situated at the back of the house, in front of the rose garden. |
