Today we spent at Dorney Court. Neither Mike or I had been here before although we have visited many other houses in the area. Arriving at lunchtime, we first had a very tasty snack at the Kitchen Garden Café. After that we had a tour by Robin and learned about how the house had evolved over the many years it has been in the same ownership. We saw the present owner cutting trees and pushing a wheelbarrow about the grounds. The lovely informal atmosphere created by the Palmer family is very welcome and most unusual. I would recommend this as a day out for anyone. There is a children's play area near the Kitchen Garden Café and a very well stocked gaden centre and shop. Try it yourself!
After seeing the signs for Dorney Court while driving through Eton, we decided to stop and were lucky enough to find the house open. We were met in the garden by a lovely lady who gave us a private tour of this gorgeous home. It is still a residence and you can feel the love and care it has been given. It is a treasure of beautiful art, stunning architecture and camera worthy gardens. An absolute must-see if you are in the area!
This is not your big stately affair, rather a family home that just happens to be over 450 years old and rich in history therefore. An hours guided tour goes by quickly ; lots to see, smell, 'feel' as the story of the house unfolds. It's spine chillingly intriguing in parts and your thoughts often turn to 'how on earth could I live here in 2014, no matter how apparently characterful the surroundings ?' The present 'Mistress' of the house (13th Generation ? ) is handing over the running reigns to her 33 year old, recently married Son at the end of this year, no doubt relieved to have survived the past 30+ years ! She and her late husband have added their mark to the interior furnishings in the form of a few specially commissioned pieces of furniture. These fit well with the evolving story... The house is only open in August due to its popularity with the film industry who uses it for the other 11 months. £8 entrance & tour ticket = money well spent ! Adjacent to the House is a Garden Centre and Coffee shop !
Dorney Court is a very interesting 15th century house. Where else will you have your entrance money taken by the Lord of the Manor ! Opening times are limited, but that just makes it a little bit more special. The tours of the house are conducted by very knowledgeable local people, and there are a lot of rooms open to the public. The gardens are lovely to stroll in, and the church is also worth a look.
A n informative guided tour bought to life this fascinating house.Steeped in stories going back to Charles the second,this house still being lived in has been well kept and oozes character.Dissappointly the church was closed for refurbishment and the gardens aren't all that interesting but go just for the house.
Very old unspoilt house, still in family ownership.Extremely knowledgeable guide told us about the house, contents, lives and relationships of the owners for 100's of years. Interesting to hear about the filming that has taken place requiring removal of all the pictures and the ongoing cataloging of the rare textiles.A huge responsibility for each succeeding generation!Make sure you check the opening days/times.
Despite living in Windsor we had never visited Dorney Court until last week. We have been missing a lovely, very ancient house. The most amazing fact, out of many, is that the house has been in the same family for 13 generations and is still privately owned by the same family. It is crammed full of historical relics, but is clearly 'lived in' at the same time. Very interesting and atmospheric. There are guided tours giving a great deal of interesting information about the house, the various owners and the artefacts. There is also a very old, partly Saxon, church attached to the house.Opening hours are very restricted, but it is well worth a visit. One word of advice - you can't pay by card. It is cash only. Then after your visit, go next door to the lovely Kitchen Garden cafe and shop where you will find th toilets
It is a fabulous building and well worth visiting. Check the website when it will be open this year. Also check out the Dorney Court Kitchen Garden next door for an outstanding experience in food and the garden centre itself.
Extremely impressed with the quality of the guide who showed us round - not only knowledgeable about the house's history, but also able to put it in a broader historic context. Also refreshing to get an honest view of how a House such as this developed over centuries. Beautiful gardens, a cafe (separate business) next door... And the first place to grow a pineapple in England - what's not to like!
We visited that place last may with my daughter who was studying tudor at school. It is the place to go as the house hasn't changed and you really feel like you are back in time few hundreds years ago. Unfortunately pictures were not authorised inside. We have been told that the successor 's son is now living there with his wife and new born baby....