The History of Clandon Park
Clandon Park is a 220-hectare agricultural parkland estate in Surrey. The history of the site is tied to the Onslow family, who have held the seat for over two centuries. In 1641, Sir Richard Onslow, MP for Surrey, purchased the estate and the existing Elizabethan house from Sir Richard Weston. This acquisition established the foundation for the family's long-term tenure on the land.
The transition of the estate to public stewardship occurred in the mid-twentieth century. In 1945, ownership passed in trust to William Onslow, 6th Earl of Onslow. Following this, Gwendolen, Countess Iveagh, purchased Clandon House from the Onslows for £1 to facilitate its donation to the National Trust. The house and its gardens were officially donated to the National Trust in 1956.
The Architecture of the Mansion
Clandon Park House is an early 18th-century grade I listed Palladian mansion. Construction of the rectangular building, composed of red brick and stone dressings, began about 1730 under the design of Giacomo Leoni. The interior work was completed in the 1740s by continental sculptors and plasterers. The Marble Hall contains marble chimney pieces by Michael Rysbrack, while the ceilings feature Rococo plasterwork by Giuseppe Artari and Bagutti.
The surrounding estate was landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown between 1776 and 1781. His influence extends to the Epsom Road entrance, which features Grade II* 18th century wrought iron gates with an armorial overthrow. The house remains a significant example of the fusion between late Baroque and early English Palladianism.
The Art and Collections
The house was once one of England's most complete examples of a Palladian mansion. Its interior was defined by the Marble Hall, an entrance hall noted for its scale and dramatic presence. The collection includes 18th-century furniture and ceramics belonging to Hannah Gubbay, which were highlighted by interior designer John Fowler in the 1960s.
The Speaker's Parlour holds significant historical portraits, including those of three Speakers of the House of Commons. These works reflect the long political history of the Onslow family, who served as the seat of the estate for over two centuries. The surviving elements of the house provide a record of the material culture associated with this lineage.
- The Reverend Henry Case, later The Reverend Henry Case-Morewood, 1782 - Joseph Wright of Derby
- Violet Marcia Catherine Warwick Bamfylde, Countess of Onslow, 1929 - Philip de László
- Sir Richard William Alan Onslow, 5th Earl of Onslow, 1928 - Philip de László
- William Hillier, 4th Earl of Onslow, 1903 - John Collier
- Elizabeth Knight, Lady Onslow, 1707 - Hans Hysing
- George, 1st Earl of Onslow, 1836 - Thomas Stewardson
Recent Damage and Restoration
In April 2015, Clandon Park House suffered significant damage due to a fire. The cause of the blaze was likely an electrical fault located in the basement. The incident left the building essentially a shell, with the loss of many historic artefacts and furniture items. Only the Speaker's Parlour remained intact following the event.
The National Trust has developed a plan to address the damage through a combination of restoration and conservation. The intention is to restore the Speaker's Parlour, the exterior walls, the roof, and the windows. The remaining parts of the house are to be conserved in a ruined state, allowing the public to access the site while preserving the evidence of the fire. This approach aims to make the house functional and accessible once more.
Construction and building work are scheduled to begin in autumn 2025. Following these works, the property is expected to reopen to the public in 2029.