Posden Lacey

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Mrs Ronald Greville, s successful hostess, found a Regency country house northwest of Dorking at the beginning of the 20th century. The house was remodelled and rooms were refurbished in line with her lifestyle between 1906 and 1909.

Visitors can look round the Hall, Drawing Room, Library, Reception, Study, and Tea Room. All rooms are furnished with mahogany and oak furniture, marble fireplace, elegant chandeliers, and mirrors and lights embellished with golden carvings. There are collections of blue-white featured china, ornaments, jade with the decorations of birds, dragons, rabbits, paintings of English farms and voyage and mythological paintings, tapestries of the 16th century Flemish paintings, and the 18th century silver pots and cake baskets, all of which were purchased and collected by Mrs Greville. Elegant showrooms make you feel like one of Mrs Greville’s house party guests.

The room was the venue for the part of the honeymoon of the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. There is a picture of their honeymoon displayed in the Library.

The walled rose garden has stunning displays of flowers and ornaments such as rose arches, lavender border, mixed borders with some rare plants, or a circle shaped hole which allows visitors to see the sundial and ornamental sculpture as a focal point from outside of the formal garden. The formal garden includes the rock garden and winter garden.

Situated in the heart of the North Downs, there are a number of walking courses. Those trails take walkers to the woodland walks, meadows, and the youth hostel which was converted from the farmhouse, Ranmore Common, neighbouring parklands, Bagden Drive where farmers used to take pigs to the meadows, and graveyard where Mrs Greville’s dogs were buried. Don’t forget to go to the viewpoint where you can overlook stunning views across the Surrey Hills.

The manor house, formal gardens, and 1,400 acre estate are managed by the National Trust.

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