WALK, VISIT AND PICNIC AT MARBLE HILL HOUSE

Join me for this delightful walk along the Thames to reach Marble Hill House, a Neo-Palladian villa, where we will get into 300 years of history of Henrietta Howard. After extensive restoration work it is opens free to the public.

"Built for Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, who is mostly famous for being the mistress of King George II, but was a remarkable woman in her own right at a time when women had hardly any rights at all. Born into decent wealth, she married badly to Charles Howard, who abused his wife while squandering her wealth on the gambling tables. Henrietta was no fool though, and to rebuild her fortunes, travelled to Hanover to ingratiate with the future George I, and she caught the eye of his son the future King George II.

As King, George II was mostly interested in Hanover, Handel, hunting and heavy women, and while Henrietta was rather on the thin side for the fashions of the time, she clearly caught the young prince’s eye, and later quite a bit of his wallet. Fortunately though, the prince was astute enough to bribe the husband to bugger off and to ensure his gifts went to her in person, so that her wastrel of a husband couldn’t squander them.
Seeking a country retreat, in 1724, Henrietta commissioned a very modern villa to be built next to the Thames, close to many of the leading social and artistic lights of the time."

10:45 - We'll meet outside Richmond Station
11:00 - Start walking
Reaching Marble Hill House, we'll explore they grounds, visiting the house and having a picnic at it's garden. After that we'll cross the River on the boat ( £2 not included) to Ham House having a look outside it's ground and making our way back to Richmond passing through a delightful park and, if you wish, a well deserved drink at the local pub.
2pm ish - End of our tour.

I've booked 20 free tickets for the tour in the House.

The fee for this tour is £6 cash payable on the day.

In case you need to contact me, please send a message to 07479023601