Polesden Lacey – Surrey (UK)

It is owned and managed by the British National Trust, and has ancient origins: the first construction dates back to 1336, but in 1824 it was razed and then rebuilt anew on the same place.

The current appearance of the estate is due to extensive renovations designed by the architects Charles Mewes and Arthur Davis and commissioned in 1906 by Margaret Greville, who lived there at the beginning of the 20th century: her collection of fine paintings, furniture, porcelain and silver is still on display in the reception rooms and galleries.

In 1942, both the estate and the collections were donated to the National Trust by Margaret Greville in order to establish a museum: Polesden Lacey was then opened to the public in August 1946.