Loseley Park, Near Guildford (Surrey)

Summary 16th century buildings Guided tours Gift shop Gardens Free car parking (on site)

Food and Drinks Tea Room

Introduction

The Loseley Estate was acquired by direct ancestors of the current owners at the beginning of the 16th century and Loseley House was built in the 1560s for Elizabeth I to stay in.

The Great Hall is the magnificent principal room of Loseley House. It contains exquisite panelling from Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace and his banqueting tents, a minstrel's gallery, carvings by Grinling Gibbons, and a fine collection of royal and family portraits.

The beautifully proportioned and furnished Drawing Room has a gilded ceiling decorated for James I's visit, a quite magnificent chalk fireplace and some exceptional paintings and pieces of furniture.

The Library, one of the first to be created by an English gentleman, has a fine collection of books, built up by successive generations of the family.

Other rooms include the bedrooms where Elizabeth I and James I slept on their various visits.

History to the present day

The present house was built between 1562 and 1568 with stone brought from the ruins of Waverley Abbey. The new house replaced a smaller one which Elizabeth I declared was not 'adequate' for her to visit and requested something larger be built. The great hall is the principal room containing panelling from Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace, a minstrel's gallery, carvings by Grinling Gibbons, panels from Henry VIII's banqueting tents and a collection of royal and family portraits.
The drawing room has a gilded ceiling decorated for James I's visit and a chalk fireplace. The carvings above the library fireplace (dated 1570) commemorate one of Elizabeth I's visits. Sir More's room contain an 18th century Vauxhall mirror. Two bedrooms named the King's Room and the Queen's Room were used by James I and Elizabeth I.  The house contains one of the few paintings of Anne Boleyn.

Food and Drinks

The Courtyard Tearoom, which is situated in the old kitchen and scullery, serves light lunches, cakes and refreshments.

Grounds and gardens

An award-winning Rose Garden is planted with over one thousand old-fashioned rose bushes, all framed by long low box hedges. The central feature is a gazebo with newly planted roses. This garden is at its peak in late June/early July.

The Herb Garden contains a fascinating array of over two hundred herbs categorised in four separate areas - culinary, medicinal, household and decorative. 

The Flower Garden was designed to provide interest and colour throughout the season by combining the more traditional herbaceous plants with mixed shrubs and drifts of annuals and bulbs. 

Other facilities

Gift Shop. Guided tours available May to August Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 1.00pm - 5.00pm. Plus Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: , Surrey, , United Kingdom

Address: Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS

Directions: Take the A3100 Goldaming Road, at second roundabout turn right towards Compton (signposted to Loseley). Over railway bridge turn right into Stakescorner Road, entrance to Loseley on left.

The Estate is closed on Mondays, except Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.

Walled Garden, Courtyard Tea Room and Gift Shop: May to September: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.00am - 5.00pm. Plus Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.

Loseley House: May to August: (guided tours) Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 1.00pm - 5.00pm. Plus Bank Holiday Mondays in May and August.

More photos of Loseley Park, Near Guildford

Vine Walk