White Lodge

White Lodge stands in Richmond Park, a large royal park in south-west London. Built in 1730 as a hunting lodge for George II, it was designed by Roger Morris and first called Stone Lodge. The house was later renamed New Lodge and then White Lodge after white wings were added in the 18th century. It has been home to prime ministers, princesses and royal children over the centuries. Today it belongs to the Crown Estate but houses the Royal Ballet Lower School for students aged 11 to 16.

The house witnessed key moments in British royal and political history. Sir Robert Walpole hunted and worked there as a retreat from London. Princess Amelia, ranger of the park, closed it to the public before a court case reopened the grounds. Prime Minister Lord Bute lived there while his deputy, Sir Sidney Meadows, occupied nearby Old Lodge. In 1805, Horatio Nelson visited Lord Sidmouth at White Lodge to explain his battle plans before Trafalgar.

Visitors find a fine Georgian mansion with its original white wings and private gardens laid out by George III. The Green Drawing Room saw the christening of Edward VIII in 1894. The Royal Ballet School preserves the building’s royal past through displays in its former rooms. Outside, the house sits among ancient trees and wide lawns within Richmond Park’s 2,500 acres.