A guide to the stately home and gardens at Cliveden, Berkshire, highlighting history and visitor information.
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Cliveden, Berkshire A guide to the stately home and gardens at Cliveden, Berkshire, highlighting history and visitor information. |
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 ClivedenThe first house at Cliveden was built on a plateau above the River Thames in 1666 by the powerful Duke of Buckingham (and although we have listed it among the Berkshire attractions, we admit it is geographically actually in Buckinghamshire!). Buckingham's mistress was the Countess of Shrewsbury, and the Duke killed her husband in a duel commemorated by crossed swords on the lawn of Cliveden. The present house is the third in this location. It was built in 1851 by Sir Charles Barry for the Duke of Sutherland. The house was later the home of Nancy, Lady Astor. Although the property is administered by the National Trust, it is run as a hotel, so opportunity to view the striking interior is limited. The gardens at Cliveden, however, are a different story, and have been called one of the top 10 gardens in England. Cliveden offers not one garden, but a series of gardens, each with its own character, spread out over 375 acres. There are roses, topiary, statuary, water gardens, a parterre, amphitheatre, yew tree walk, and wonderfully informal walks in woodland gardens with excellent views along the Thames.
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