Hartwell House, Hartwell, Buckinghamshire

We had occasion to visit today and so I knew a picture was on the cards.

This is one of those unseen historic houses that is little known due to the fact that it is a very plush hotel belonging to the National Trust.

I have probably said this before, as I have pictured bits of the estate; it was first lived in by an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror, though the existing house is seventeenth century. It belonged to a local family, the Hampdens, but then passed to the Lees via a marriage. Robert E Lee the American General was a member of this family as is Christopher Lee the actor. In the 1800s the house was let to King Louis VXIII after he fled France in fear of his life from Napoleon.

It was later acquired by the family of Thomas Cook (of travel agent fame). In the 60s it was a school for young ladies & in the 80s it was decided that it should become a hotel which is what it is today. Incidentally the grounds (landscaped by Capability Brown) have been compared with the gardens at nearby Stowe with various statues obelisk & a bridge

Because it is a hotel it is not open to the public to visit, but it is close to Chequers & this means that various international governmental meetings & summits are held here. Indeed it has been known for a president of the USA to be seen in the local pub (The Bugle Horn) indulging in English beer.

Its been a dull day here, but in Westminster it has been very blue for some & true blue for others; congratulations to the victors.

Also remembering V.E. (Victory in Europe) day 70 years ago.