History at Clandon Park

Clandon Park was a family home for centuries. The Onslows arrived in 1641 and replaced the original house in the early 1700s with this stunning example of fashionable Palladianism. Uncover some of the most captivating stories through the years, charting the evolution of this significant house, its gardens and the people who’ve passed through it.

The south front and parterre at Clandon Park before the fire

The house before the fire

Clandon Park was one of the country’s most complete examples of a Palladian mansion, built for the Onslow family in the 1720s. Given to us in 1956, the house showcased a superb collection of 18th century furniture, porcelain and textiles. Here you can catch a glimpse of how Clandon looked before the fire in April 2015.

The Onslow family

How the Onslows came to Clandon

The first record of the Onslow family appears in the 12th century. Eventually Roger Onslow moved to London to further the family wool business. Years later his grandson, another Richard, purchased Clandon Park.

The Onslows arrive at Clandon

The Onslow family have lived at Clandon Park since 1641. Following their move to Surrey, the family's political fortunes began to grow. So did the house and the huge estate that they built around them.

The Onslows revive Clandon

Clandon suffered great neglect during the time of the 3rd Earl of Onslow. Then followed a restoration to its glorious past by the 4th Earl, William Hiller Onslow. All was well at Clandon until 1914, when war came to Britain.

Lady Iveagh

Lady Gwendolen Onslow was born and spent her early life at Clandon Park. She married into the famous Guinness family, later becoming Countess of Iveagh and one of the first female MPs in 1927. Discover more about her remarkable history and how she saved Clandon Park, leaving it to the National Trust in 1956.

A portrait of the Great Speaker with Walpole

The Speakers Parlour

The Onslow family are unique in having provided three speakers for the House of Commons over the centuries. Before the recent fire they were celebrated in the Speakers' Parlour. Miraculously much of this room survived the fire relatively intact.

Hinemihi

Hinemihi of the old world

Find out more about Hinemihi's roots as the hub of a thriving Maori community on New Zealand's North Island, and the tragic events that left her abandoned there.

Hinemihi finds a new home

Hinemihi is the only Maori meeting house in the UK. How did she find herself on the other side of the world, in the gardens of Clandon Park in a quiet Surrey village?

The gardens

The 4th Earl and his garden
20th century additions
The great garden designers

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The 4th Earl and his garden

In 1870, the 4th Earl inherited gardens left idle for 43 years. Determined to restore them, the 4th Earl documented the transformation in his diary.
20th century additions

Small changes to our grade II listed gardens continued throughout the 20th century to produce the surroundings that you see today.
The great garden designers

The gardens at Clandon have been a canvas for two of the most influential garden designers in English history. Learn more about the landscape.