Leith Hill Place (NT)
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Overview
An atmospheric house with panoramic views across the Surrey countryside, Leith Hill Place was the childhood home of one of England's greatest composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, who gave it to the National Trust in 1944. His grandparents, Josiah Wedgwood III and Caroline (née Darwin) moved there in 1847, and his great uncle, the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, conducted experiments in the grounds. For nearly 40 years, Leith Hill Place had been tenanted as a school boarding house, and in summer 2013, the National Trust opened it to the public for the first time since the 1960s. The house is at a crossroads in its history and is very much a work in progress.
About the area
Surrey is one of England’s most wooded counties, with over a quarter of the landscape designated as an official AONB and plenty of history evident in the countryside. You’ll find sandy tracks, cottage gardens and welcoming village inns, and on the fringe of Greater London you can picnic in Chaldon’s hay meadows, explore the downs at Epsom, or drift idly beside the River Thames.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
The Kings Head
Tucked away in a tranquil village in the Surrey Hills, The Kings Head offers three very comfy and stylish bedrooms. The team are extremely friendly and the kitchen sends out delicious a...
Edgeley Country Park
Within 45-minutes of central London and Gatwick Airport, but a whole world away from the stresses of everyday life, Edgeley Country Park is an idyllic retreat. Tucked away in 26 acres o...
The Richard Onslow
A historic building on Cranleigh’s High Street, The Richard Onslow is a classic English village inn. Alongside a friendly old bar and snug, an elegant dining room, and a secluded courty...
The Drummond at Albury
The Drummond at Albury is well located for a weekend away in the tranquillity of the Surrey Hills, and is popular with business guests looking for somewhere a bit less corporate than on...
Guildford Manor Hotel
Guildford Manor Hotel is a contemporary hotel located in the tranquillity of the Surrey Hills countryside – it's the ideal place to celebrate special occasions and have a relaxing weeke...
Barnett Hill Hotel
In the heart of the Surrey Hills, Barnett Hill is a beautiful Queen Anne-style mansion dating back to 1905; it sits in 26 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and woodland, a tranquil a...
Gainsborough Lodge
Close to Gatwick, Gainsborough Lodge is a fine Edwardian house. Its bright, recently refurbished bedrooms are comfortably appointed, and a Continental breakfast is served in the-dining ...
Reigate Manor
On the slopes of Reigate Hill, Reigate Manor is ideally located for access to the town and for motorway links. A range of public rooms is provided along with a variety of function rooms...
