National Trust - Polesden Lacey - Leatherhead

Peter M.

My wife and I visited Polesden Lacey midweek in December.
Our visit involved a walk around the gardens, the house itself and then a trip to the cafe.
The house is set in some really very well tended gardens and parkland. The gardens and kitchen gardens were very interesting, both in the overall layout and in the details. There were some lovely spots, like the covered bridge and some interesting details, like notices explaining what was happening in the gardens that were displayed on garden forks.
Around the gardens, the statues and carvings had all been wrapped in sheets, against the ravages of the winter.
The gardens contained a bird feeding area with a small hide. We spent quite some time watching a wide variety of birds there. Really good.
Beside the entry to the house was an old carousel (closed off during our visit).
People were held in a queue at the door, because the house was decorated for Christmas, with the theme of a masquerade from 1931. The delay at the door enabled relatively small groups to see and photograph the lavish Christmas decorations. In the entrance hall, visitors could hear 1930s recordings of Christmas carols. One carol sounded as though it was sung by Florence Foster Jenkins, although I’m almost certainly wrong.
The decorations were spectacular and these included lots of costumes and some live piano music.
For me, the highlight of the interior, was the collection of paintings in the hallways and corridors, there were some icons(?) , and Dutch interiors and seascapes.
What was disappointing was that our visit was restricted to a few formal rooms, with no bedrooms and no kitchens to be seen.
The cafe supplied us with drinkable coffee and there was food available that didn’t contain eggs and dairy.

Anne G.

What a fantastic National Trust destination! House and Gardens fab to visit. Plenty of parking and volunteers very welcoming and informative. I went on a short garden walk with a volunteer Gardner and it was insightful. I will be back!

Deirdre N.

Absolutely gorgeous estate. At certain times the guide outside tells the story of the house and it's very interesting. Try not to miss!

Matthew B.

Brilliant small place very nice would have liked to see it in full bloom. Toilets very clean and tidy disabled access at front however not sure re house as the stairs are steep. Parking is £4 a day to non members members free. Lots of things to see and do including a tiger comes to tea trail a wooden playground and a big nature trail staff are nice and very knowledgeable Brilliant keep up the good work 👍

Tom R.

Visited with the children for the Tiger that Came to Tea trail. Having done many other National Trust theme trails, I must admit that I think I preferred this one the most. I liked this story as a child too!

The trail takes you around the outside of the property and then through the main house. Each trail point provides a short activity such as making the tiger some food, brewing tea by throwing tea bags into cups and dressing up as the tiger (or Sophie). Each activity station was quite small but luckily, due to the time we arrived and due to many schools still being in, we had plenty of space and time at each task.

I imagine next week (half term) will be a totally different ball game and with any sort of crowd the trail would really become a chore rather than enjoyable. My advice would be to go early (or late) to avoid crowds and busy periods.

We also enjoyed the added bonus of the Last Tree Exhibition on the first floor of the house. This short exhibition presented the works of Luke Adam Hawker and was really eye opening, fascinating and interesting. Whilst my three year old didn't find this too exciting, my five year old enjoyed looking at the art. A nice touch was the addition of some of Luke's art work as a child which inspired my eldest to focus on her art which she loves too. Of course the house itself is a shrine to the family that lived there in the early 1900s and some of the rooms are fabulous. There were also a number of teddy griffins to hunt for in the various rooms too which kept the children focussed.

Polesden Lacey is one of the smaller NT properties and is definitely more suited to a lovely warm summer's day rather than the overcast and rainy weather we were treated to. But with the trail, the art exhibition, the historic rooms and the cafes there is plenty to keep you occupied. Four legged friends are also welcome on leads.

Ria A.

Wow wow wow! One of my absolute favourites!
The journey to Polesden Lacey along the country roads is just gorgeous and then when we arrived we were in for a treat! The coffee shop has a lovely courtyard to enjoy coffee and a cake, a decent gift shop to buy seasonal gifts and goods and then access to the park & house. The acreage offers plenty! Play areas set up for children are superb to get them out in nature, whilst ramblers can go on long walks and all can enjoy the house and views. The view….whilst walking to the house it comes up on you & wow the Valley is spectacular! The house is stunning and was showing an exhibition inside so plenty to look at whilst taking in the house itself. The gardens and landscape are beautifully kept with picnic areas and seating all over.
Highly recommend - super friendly and helpful staff & volunteers

Deborah S.

A lovely estate set in Surrey Hills area with a magnificent history.
The National Trust staff are simply wonderful too.

M. U.

Masquerade installations were fantastic.
Carousel is a lot of fun for kids and adults.
On the website it says you need to book for the carousel and it even shows as sold out on the day but they do sell tickets at the ticket office and next to the carousel.
The toilets are a problem. You need to go either before the entrance or you need walk to the toilets further away in the gardens.
There is a second hand bookshop. The kids books are disappointing. Very old and uninteresting.
It takes very long to get in the car park, be ready to wait.