Dorneywood
A Georgian house rebuilt and extended after a fire, now held by the National Trust and managed as a government country residence.
A Georgian house rebuilt and extended after a fire, now held by the National Trust and managed as a government country residence.
Register entry — DORNEYWOOD. National Heritage List for England reference: 1332660. Recorded designation: Grade II listed building.
First listed: 1985-04-24. This is the listing date, not a construction date.
Source: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1332660
The register identity was cross-checked against the official record name, coordinates and grade on 21 October 2026.
An English editorial overview and visiting guidance are available in this dossier. Check the linked official information for current opening times, access and booking arrangements.
Record
- Georgian house with later restoration and government-residence use
- United Kingdom
- Burnham
- South East England
- other
- 1985-04-24
Editorial reading
The Dorneywood Trust describes a Georgian farmhouse later converted into a larger residence. Both its account and the statutory listing record a damaging fire in 1910, followed by reconstruction and further enlargement under Lord Courtauld-Thomson.
The Trust distinguishes his 1942 decision to leave the property to the nation from the bequest taking effect after his death in 1954. This explains why different dates appear in summaries of the transfer. The listed house includes an Ionic entrance, historic fireplaces, a staircase with fretwork and decoration associated with Rex Whistler.
Our editorial reading: rebuilding and public service are part of Dorneywood's domestic history. Its present role is different from that of a museum arranged solely for visitors.
Sources: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1332660 and https://www.dorneywood.org/history-of-dorneywood and https://www.dorneywood.org/visiting-us (checked 21 October 2026).
Recommendation
The Trust offers selected summer openings. House visits require advance booking and timed entry; garden-only arrangements differ. Consult the current official calendar and respect the property's continuing use as a private residence.
Location and visiting
Confirm current opening times, access and reservations with the place itself. These details follow the source record.
Sources & credits
Source record: Wikidata
Source record: Eigen redactie
Source record: Eigen redactie
Source record: Eigen redactie
Source record: National Heritage List for England (Historic England)
Source record: Wikimedia Commons
Explore the region
Based on the recorded country and region. Europe’s regional grouping is an editorial choice. Open the English regional collection to explore places across the Mondes and linked publications.