Our visit to Dorney Court - eventually.

It was well worth the visit

Following many attempts to visit, 16 of us finally went to Dorney Court near Windsor.

It was well worth the wait. Dorney is an amazing house that dates back several hundred years and is a real gem.

We were shown round the living areas, both up and downstairs, looking at some of the wonderful furniture and artefacts collected by the family over the centuries. The family rooms had been remodelled over the years as walls were added to create individual rooms rather than one big space.

Fantastic panelling as old as time itself, lined some of the rooms and large fireplaces were definitely needed where windows would do little to shut out draughts. Upstairs, the ceilings are barrel shaped (domed) and it was done so that the air would circulate, not sit near a flat ceiling and thus freeze the rest of the room. As you can imagine, these ceilings show the signs of being very old but have been cleverly restored from underneath. Don’t ask me how they do this, but effectively the outer surface has somehow been stuck to its sub structure.

Louise, our guide, explained the family coat of arms, including how the pineapple got included. Her anecdote that a descendant at the time of Charles II presented him with a pineapple that would usually just be bought out to show off at banquets as a symbol of wealth. The norm was that the pineapple would be left intact and passed on for someone else to show off at another event. Charles II had other ideas, and sliced off the top. His horrified gardener took the sliced fruit and propagated it for what was to be the first person to grow a pineapple in the UK.

The Palmer family has a long and illustrious history and connections to the royal family. Some of it fairly recent. Note that the Princess of Wales’ parents were married in the village church that abuts the estate.

The current custodians, James and Anna Palmer are the 13th generation to live in the house which must be a huge responsibility and has meant that they need the house to earn its’ keep.

Many film companies have used it in scenes from Bridgerton, Midsomer Murders, etc plus some huge films too. (I am not a film buff and missed that bit but Scarlet Johanssen has been in a film there).

The house isn't open for much of the year but if you do get the chance to visit, go for it.