Polesden Lacey
Great Bookham, Mole Valley
Photo: ChrisParkinson, CC BY-SA 3.0Photo: ChrisParkinson, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Edwardian country retreat of the society hostess Margaret Greville, set in a 1,600-acre estate of downland and ancient woodland with views across to Ranmore Common. The ground-floor rooms hold her collection of paintings, ceramics and French furniture, and the gardens include a walled rose garden and long herbaceous borders.
Highlights
- Ground-floor showrooms including the Gold Saloon
- Walled Rose Garden and double herbaceous borders
- Natural play area built from estate timber
- Views across Ranmore Common from the South Lawn
- Seasonal family trails, including Christmas decorations in the house
Good to know
- Dogs on leads are welcome in selected areas of the grounds and off lead on the wider estate away from livestock; only assistance dogs in the formal gardens and house
- The first floor of the house stays closed throughout 2026
- Hot food is served in the Granary Café between 12pm and 3pm
- There is a volunteer-run second-hand bookshop beside the house
Getting there
Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BDParking: Main car park open 7.30am to 6pm. National Trust members park free; non-members pay £5 a day by machine or the JustPark app. Ten electric vehicle charging points.
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against nationaltrust.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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What's on at Polesden Lacey
Moomins at Polesden Lacey
An autumn family trail round the garden inspired by Moominvalley, with characters from the Moomin stories to meet along the way. It is presented by Bakehouse Factory, which makes interactive theatrical events.
The Great Polesden Mystery children's trail
Polesden Lacey's prized pumpkin has gone missing, and children help Detective Grizwald work out who took it by solving puzzles round the grounds. It runs through both weeks of half-term.
The Twelve Days of Christmas at Polesden Lacey
The ground-floor rooms of the Edwardian house are dressed with displays inspired by each verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Outside, families can follow a trail around the grounds and collect a small gift at the end.
More things to do in DorkingEvery National Trust place in Surrey
Nearby
Photo of Dorking: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0Denbies Hillside and Ranmore Common
A chalk escarpment above Dorking with views towards Leith Hill, named after John Denby, a 17th-century farmer. The North Downs Way runs along the top past Second World War pill boxes, and Ranmore Common's woods lie across the road.
Photo: Cjc13, CC BY-SA 3.0Denbies Wine Estate
A large single-estate vineyard on the slopes of the North Downs outside Dorking, with a visitor centre, wine shop, restaurants and an art gallery. Visitors can take a guided cellar tasting or a vineyard train tour, or walk the 7 miles of public footpaths through the vines.
Photo of Leatherhead: DimiTalen, CC0Norbury Park
A large estate of woodland, farmland and chalk grassland between Leatherhead and Dorking, bought by Surrey County Council in 1931 to save it from development. Colour-coded self-guided trails start from the car parks, with views towards Box Hill and the River Mole below.