Loseley Park

Since the beginning of the 16th Century, the More-Molyneux family and their ancestors have been welcoming guests to Loseley Park and visitors today continue to enjoy their hospitality in peaceful, idyllic surroundings.

Loseley House was built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth during the years 1562 - 1568. Sir William, one of the Queen's most trusted advisers, supervised the building work himself and his original accounts are preserved. Most of the building stone, now over 860 years old, came from the ruins of the Cistercian Waverley Abbey, near Farnham.

A tour of Loseley House will include the chance to view many fine portraits and other works of art, furniture from the 16th Century and special items such as the panelling from Henry VIII's Nonsuch Palace. Queen Elizabeth came to Loseley on four occasions and visitors will see the small west-facing bedroom in which she chose to stay.

The ancestry of the More Molyneux family, their fascinating past and their connections with royalty and figures such as Sir Thomas More and the poet John Donne all play a part in Loseley's intriguing history. Loseley is, however, very much a family home - hence the unique warmth and peaceful atmosphere.

The original two and a half acre Walled Garden, just close to the House, was laid out formally in the 1500s and was partly re-designed by Gertrude Jekyll at the turn of the 20th century. Subsequently, fruit trees were planted, but after the Second World War these were removed to pave the way for an Organic market garden providing fruit and vegetables to neighbouring villages and local markets as well as supplying Loseley House.

In 1991 plans were drawn up to re-create a formal garden for Loseley. Work began in 1993 with the Rose Garden, followed by the Herb Garden, the Flower Garden and the White Garden. The Organic Vegetable and Cut Flower Garden were developed in 2003. The Walled Garden is laid out as a series of 'rooms', each with an individual character and interest for visitors throughout the season. The Wildflower Meadow, situated on the other side of the Moat, was planted in 2005, following encouragement by Alan Titchmarsh during his visit, and is situated on what used to be the Loseley cricket pitch.

Situated next to the majestic cedar of Lebanon, a mulberry tree is reputed to have been planted by Queen Elizabeth I. The Latin inscription on a frieze in the drawing room of Loseley House implies that if the tree dies, the family dies with it: 'Morus tarde moriens morum cito moriturum', translated as 'the tree dies slowly, the fruit dies quickly'. The tree did fall during the Second World War but still lives today.

Fact Box

Loseley House is open from May to the end of August, on Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday. The gardens and grounds are open on Tuesday to Sunday, from May to the end of September. This includes Bank Holidays. For more information telephone: 01483-304440 or visit website: www.loseley-park.com or enquiries@loseley-park.com