Polesden Lacey - National Trust

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Polesden Lacey - National Trust

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey
Polesden Lacey - a beautiful house, gardens and countryside. Explore and enjoy.

Polesden Lacey, only four miles from Dorking, is your space to enjoy. A place of contrasts with both a touch of Edwardian elegance and muddy countryside walks.

01/09/2026

Now the summer holidays are drawing to a close, it’s time to look ahead to autumn and the lovely, cosy vibes that the most mellow season of the year can bring. If you’re keen to swap picnics and sunglasses for woolly hats, cosy scarves and soft, comforting throws, why not pop into the shop during your next visit to Polesden Lacey to see what catches your eye? 🍂

📸 Emma W

30/08/2026

We’re getting ready to welcome some special visitors to Polesden Lacey in a few days’ time. From Saturday (5 September), delve into discovering the Moomin family and their friends, living an adventurous life in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley in harmony with nature.

The trail runs until Sunday 8 November and is free after normal admission has been paid.

**** Please note that Polesden Lacey will be closed to visitors from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September and again from Monday 14 September to Wednesday 16 September. We WILL be open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. ****

© Moomin Characters™

Moomin Moomin@moominofficial

📸 National Trust/Emma W

29/08/2026

We’re looking forward to opening the doors to Polesden Lacey for free on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September as part of Heritage Open Days 2026 (10am to 5pm). Why not pop by and find out more about Polesden Lacey?

✨ Make the most of the final weekend of Summer of Play supported by Pokémon.
✨ Follow the new Moomins family trail around the grounds (trail runs daily from 5 September to 8 November).
✨ Go inside the house to watch the Gold Room chandelier being cleaned by the house and collections team (house open 11am to 3.30pm)
✨ Meet the outdoor teams who keep Polesden Lacey’s gardens, grounds and estate looking at their best.
✨ Chat to members of local community groups and browse the second-hand book stall
✨ Enjoy live music on the South Lawn with the last Lazy Jazz afternoons (2pm to 4pm) of 2026.

📸 Emma W

28/08/2026

⚠️ Due to planned road closures for roadworks in the local area, Polesden Lacey will be closed to visitors from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September. ⚠️

We will reopen for Heritage Open Days on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September (10am to 5pm) - when we will be throwing open the doors for free as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme.

We will then be closed to visitors again from Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 September.

We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

24/08/2026

August Bank Holiday weekend is nearly upon us, and what better way is there to spend it than relaxing and having fun at Polesden Lacey? There’s so much to see and do:
👉 Enjoy family games and activities as part of Polesden Lacey’s Summer of Play supported by Pokémon (runs daily until 13 September, 10am to 5pm, free after normal admission).
👉 Peek inside the house to admire opulent rooms and beautiful paintings, ceramics and furniture (house opens 11am – 3.30pm).
👉 Tap your toes to live music on the South Lawn with Lazy Jazz performances by The Candy Girls (Sat 29 August), The Vital Organs (Sun 30 August) and Jaz2 (Mon 31 August). 2pm to 4pm, free after normal admission.
👉 Play croquet on one of our four beautifully manicured croquet lawns. Must book in advance, £10 per hour. Available for public hire at weekends and bank holidays only until the end of September.
👉 Stop by the gift shop or second-hand bookshop to pick up a souvenir of your visit.

We look forward to welcoming you to Polesden Lacey this Bank Holiday weekend.

📸 Emma W

23/08/2026

Now that the lavender has finished its gorgeous display of summer flowers, it’s the ideal time for the garden team at Polesden Lacey to begin a late summer prune. Cutting the lavender plants back now allows them to recover and develop new growth before the colder weather arrives. It encourages a better-shaped, more compact plant for the next season and prevents the lavender from becoming too ‘leggy’ or ‘woody’.

Tips for pruning lavender include using sharp, clean shears to make precise cuts. Prune about one-third of the plant’s height, cutting only into green, leafy stems. Remove any dead or struggling stems so that the plant can focus its energy on healthy new growth. 🌱

📸 Eddie Hyde, Emma W

22/08/2026

Dog walkers take note: Pooch Passport is back for 2026/27! From Tuesday 1 September, you can pick up a free Pooch Passport from Polesden Lacey and other participating National Trust places and collect a stamp each time you visit with your dog to gain fun rewards. 🐾

Pooch Passport runs until 28 February 2027 in partnership with natural pet food maker, Forthglade. Please keep dogs on a lead around livestock, read the signs at field entrances and follow the instructions given. 🐾

📽 National Trust

20/08/2026

If you fancy something cold to eat or drink while exploring the formal gardens at Polesden Lacey this summer, you’re in luck! Our Jude’s horse box will be open in the Production Garden on selected days between 11am and 3pm, selling a range of refreshing ice creams and soft drinks. The perfect accompaniment to a stroll around this beautifully secluded part of the garden. 🍦

You can also purchase hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks in the main café, coffee shop and Beech Hut Kiosk. Please ask at Visitor Reception on arrival about opening days and times for the kiosk and Jude's horse box.

📸 Emma W

19/08/2026

Did you know it’s World Photography Day today (Wednesday 19 August)? Polesden Lacey offers the perfect backdrop for landscape and nature photography, with far-reaching views, late summer flowers still in bloom in the formal gardens and the wider estate teeming with wildlife. 🌳

Why not grab your camera or phone and enjoy some creative summer photography inspired by your visit to Polesden Lacey? We love to see photos from our visitors; please feel free to share them with us below! 📸

📸 Jenny S, National Trust Images/David Levenson, Louisa R

18/08/2026

The summer sale is now on in the gift shop at Polesden Lacey! We have discounts on a wide range of stock, including homewares, garden décor, stationery, clothing and food and drink. Pop in to see what bargains catch your eye.

The sale will run over the next few weeks while stocks last. The shop opens daily, 10am to 5pm.

📸 Emma W

Address

Dorking
RH56BD

Telephone

+441372452048

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

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