Cliveden
One
of the great country houses of Buckinghamshire, and indeed, of all
England. Cliveden stands on a high cliff above the River Thames,
and the gardens provide wonderful views down the river.
The
house was originally built in 1670 for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham
by William Winde. It was badly damaged by fire in 1795, and was
left to molder for 30 years. It was eventually rebuilt, but another
fire in 1849 destroyed much of the original structure. Sir Charles
Barry designed a new Italianate building in 1850 for the Duke and
Duchess of Sutherland.
Barry's
three story central block curves outward to join 18th century wings
designed by Thomas Archer. The interior was altered in the 1870s
from Barry's design, and the clock tower and stable block added.
In
1893 the estate was purchased by William Waldorf Astor, and the
interior was remodeled yet again, to set off Astor's fine furniture
and tapestries. Between the two world wars Cliveden was at the centre
of political and social activity, and the 2nd Viscount Astor and
Lady Astor made Cliveden a popular gathering place for influential
people who became known as "the cliveden set". In 1942
Viscount Astor gave Cliveden to the National Trust.
The
house is surrounded by 375 acres of superb landscape gardens, including
a Rose Garden designed by noted English garden expert Sir Geoffrey
Jellicoe. The gardens also feature the Canadian War Memorial Garden,
the Ilex Grove, Amphitheatre, River Walk and the Yew Tree Walk.
The
grounds are also notable for their delightful statuary, with the
most prominent feature being the sculpted "Fountain of Love",
which stands at the end of a broad entry avenue at the main approach
to the house. Parts of the gardens date back to the 16th century,
though most are of more recent vintage, and much of the statuary
was added by the Astors.
The
house itself is now run as a hotel, and only three rooms are open
to the public, but the gardens are maintained by the National Trust.
CONTACT
Cliveden
Taplow
Maidenhead
SL6 0JA
Telephone : 01628 605069
Infoline : 01494 755562
Fax : 01628 669461
Website : www.nationaltrust.org.uk/regions/thameschilterns
Events:
full programme, inc. concerts, open-air theatre, children’s theatre
held throughout the season; contact National Trust Regional Box
Office on 01494 755572
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