Polesden Love Stories

4th February 2019

Margaret Greville, the Edwardian socialite who owned Polesden Lacey between 1906 and 1942, was a renowned matchmaker. She had an eye for a budding romance and enjoyed bringing people together for romance as well as politics.

(Image: Polesden Lacey - copyright National Trust)

Mrs Greville invited King Edward VII to her very first house party at Polesden Lacey in 1909 along with his current mistress Alice Keppel and her ever supportive husband.

The future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, spent part of their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey in 1923.

Mrs Greville liked to encourage love amongst her staff, such as the budding romance between one of her housemaids, Megan Hill, and the head gardener, Roland Smith. Mrs Greville assigned Megan to stay behind and walk the dogs at Polesden Lacey while she travelled abroad, ensuring that the couple would have ample alone time together. They later married.

In the spirit of the romantic Mrs Greville, this February we celebrate Polesden’s love stories over the years with a programme of events, talks and activities in the house and gardens.

Polesden Lacey's Love Tree

Show your favourite person how much you love them and tie a special message to our love tree for Valentine’s Day. Pick up a ribbon and a heart-shaped card from Visitor Reception and head down to the south lawn, where the love tree looks out across the Surrey Hills.

Recreate the royal honeymoon

Discover picture frames around the gardens showing the royal couple on their honeymoon and other love stories from our archives. Recreate the image in the frame with your special someone and take a picture – if you share your image on social media don’t forget to tag us @polesdenlaceynt  

In the house

• Throughout the house in February we bring Polesden’s characters to life in the house through costume, with The Arts Society
• Spotlight talks, by guides in costume, will focus on love and romance at Polesden through the ages. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm from the 5th to the 28^th of February
• Try on your own outfit in the Linen Room where you’ll find Edwardian outfits for children and adults. See how you’d look as a maid, footman or esteemed guest and go for a walk around the house in character