Titsey Place

Titsey Place is an English country house in Surrey, close to the town of Oxted and the village of Limpsfield. Surrounded by parkland, gardens and woods, it was home to two families over the centuries and is now looked after by a charitable trust for public benefit. It makes a relaxed day out of London for anyone who enjoys historic interiors and classic English gardens.

What is Titsey Place?

Titsey Place is a country house in the village of Titsey in south-east England. It served first as the seat of the Gresham family and later of the Leveson-Gowers. Today it is no longer a private home but is held in trust so that the house and grounds are preserved for the nation. The Titsey Foundation first welcomed visitors in 1993.

What is the history of the estate?

The estate was bought in 1534 by Sir John Gresham, a London merchant from a well-known trading dynasty. In the early nineteenth century it passed down the female line to the Leveson-Gowers, a family related to the Dukes of Sutherland. They gave the grounds much of their present character: the park and garden are largely the work of William and Granville Leveson-Gower, who planted the parkland and laid out the gardens in the 1800s.

What can you see in the gardens?

The grounds cover about 15 acres. Highlights include:

• a walled kitchen garden, typical of Victorian estates;
• landscaped lakes that suit the parkland setting;
• the Golden Jubilee Rose Garden, replanted to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee and opened by the local MP in 2002;
• the fountain on the lower terrace, a copy of one in the cloisters at Eton College.

Beyond the gardens, you can walk in the estate woodland, where paths stay open outside the main visiting season.

Can you go inside the house?

Yes, but only during the season, which runs from late spring to the end of September. The house is usually open on selected days of the week, while the garden and tea room are often open on more days. Special events, such as open-air opera evenings, are also held. Dates change from year to year, so check the official website before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Titsey Place? In Surrey, near Oxted, on the southern edge of Greater London. Driving is easiest, though trains serve Oxted nearby.

Who owned the estate? First the Gresham family, from 1534, and then the Leveson-Gowers, who inherited it in the nineteenth century.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. The parkland, lakes and woodland paths give children plenty of space, and the tea room makes a longer stay easy to plan.

Do I need a ticket? Entry to the house and gardens is charged during the season. Check the organisers for current prices.

When is the best time to visit? Summer, when the interiors and every part of the garden are open, including the roses. Walkers can enjoy the woods at any time of year.

Titsey Place brings together five centuries of family history, a Victorian garden layout and a quiet corner of the Surrey countryside. It is a rewarding alternative to the busier, better-known houses around London.