About Hedsor House & Grounds
"4th June, 1864 ....Princess Louise and I took a charming drive through Hedsor Park, and after luncheon I sat first with Princess Helena and then with Princess Louise, when we had agreed to have another game of croquet with dear Prince Leo.... " - The Diary of Lady Knightley of Fawsley, 1864.
The House
From welcoming King George III and Queen Victoria in centuries past to hosting Nicole Kidman in The Golden Compass and Mark Ronson's recent star-studded birthday party, Hedsor House is steeped in history.
Dating back to 1166, Hedsor was once the home of the Dowager Princess of Wales, mother of George III and the founder of Kew Gardens. The house and its stunning 85 acre park overlooking the Thames then regularly welcomed the Kings and Queens from Windsor Castle as the home of Lord Boston from 1764. The house was originally designed by Sir William Chambers, architect of Somerset House, with the aid of King George III and Queen Charlotte, who picked the location specifically for its position high above the Thames. Badly damaged by fire in 1795, a new house was completed in 1868 and unusually modeled on the Italian Villa style but with a domed hall rather than an open courtyard - this stunning domed hall is where many occasions take place.
In 2007, for the first time in its eight hundred year history, Hedsor opened her doors to the world by staring in The Golden Compass as Nicole Kidman's home. The house underwent a complete redecoration and refurbishment for the filming and the Golden Compass carpet is now a centre piece in the Domed hall (above). From the latest WiFi and 3-phase power capabilites to master carvers unveiling and reinstating the 150 year-old oak flooring and panelling in the grand ballroom, the house is now in immaculate condition as a conference and wedding venue. The house and estate remain completely private and run by the fourth generation of the family ensuring the utmost of privacy and exclusivity, whether it be for international car launches to the most intimate of weddings and meetings.
The Grounds
The formal gardens of Hedsor House were originally designed in the mid 19th Century. One of the most prominent features is the formal Dutch garden to the north of Hedsor House, which can still be seen today. These gardens are now listed Grade II as part of the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in England and Wales. In more recent years a hard tennis court and croquet lawn has been sited in the old rose garden.
In addition to this there is extensive parking in the upper and lower car parks for 120 cars. (Extra parking is available in the parklands by arrangement.) The gardens of Hedsor House are surrounded by attractive parkland with views across the Thames Valley.
85 acres of land surrounding the house are available, with several acres adjacent to the house for the erection of marquees.