This time we're back at Polesden Lacey to have a look inside the house.
We were here back in the summer and told you all about Margaret Greville the famous socialite
and you should go and see that video first to find out all the history about this property.
Let's go and have a look inside now.
During its heyday in the early 1900s Polesden Lacey was a magnet for the rich and famous
to escape to, for lavish parties and social events. Christmas would have been no exception
Margaret Greville whom we learned about in our first visit earlier this year,
loved to throw a party and christmas on the estate would have been a lavish affair
with at least 20 guests joining her for fragolity and christmas merriment, served and catered for
by the 40 servants and maids. With 18 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms she was not short of space!
The christmas tree would have been stacked with gifts quite possibly containing exquisite items
from Cartier or Faberge. Some of her guests included Sir Winston Churchill,
Charlie Chaplin and the late Queen Mother a great friend of maggie.
Paintings, porcelain and fine silver are displayed in the reception rooms
and in the corridor galleries just as it would have been when she was alive.
The incredible Gold room or saloon as it was known,
was for entertaining and a volunteer today plays the steinway piano for us.
The gold leaf that adorns the walls and ceilings is 24 carat and was part of the renovations work
that Margaret commissioned using the company that refitted the Ritz hotel in london. Mewes & Davies.
Not a penny was spared in making this edwardian home the most glamorous and modern for its time,
including a personal lift for Maggie something unheard of in its day. Sadly the upstairs is
out of bounds at the moment due to covid so we can only tour the ground floor. The chandelier
is incredible with over 2 000 droplets, apparently it can't be taken down and takes a week to clean.
Margaret Greville was fanatical about jewellery and was gifted some wonderful pieces by her
husband and also purchased many herself. There are replicas of some in the saloon including
a tiara. Upon her death she bequeathed the entire collection to Queen Elizabeth
later to be the Queen Mother. She wore maggie's jewellery regularly. She was
quoted as saying upon her death "So shrewd, so kind, so amusingly unkind, so sharp, such fun,
so naughty" Even today some of the royal families still wear the jewelry the Duchess of Cornwall has
been seen with the beautiful Greville Festoon Necklace. I'd love to show you a picture but
can't due to copyright reasons. Princess Eugenie also wore a Greville tiara at her wedding in 2018.
The tea room is very intimate and feminine. You can imagine Mrs Greville relaxing in there and
having a gossip with her guests. On offer were mouth-watering hot cinnamon scones,
buttered toast, coffee creams, meringues, petit foies, thick cream from the Polesden
farm and indian or china tea. Tea was served at five o'clock and not a minute passed!
If you were late you weren't getting in no matter who you were. Apparently
even King Edward VII was refused entrance because of his poor time keeping skills!
The billiard room has been set out for a game of bridge and children's play area
whilst Maggie had none of her own some of her guests may well have brought theirs.
I love how the trust has created a christmas tree from vintage books it's very effective.
The billiard table is taken over with a winter scene made from paper decorations
something commonly done in the early 1900s.
The smoking room, cozy but dimly lit was for the gentleman to use for an after-dinner drink,
smoke, discuss politics and read the latest news.
The gun room now completely empty would have been full of hunting and outdoor equipment
this leads us out into the garden.
To find out more about the stunning gardens and estate and all about the life of Margaret
Greville make sure you watch our other Polesden Lacey video. Here's a taster.
Coming up this time we explore the grounds of a property made famous by its popular
socialite owners known for their wild party scandal and honeymooning kings and queens
find out all you need to know about visiting this incredible Edwardian home stay with us!