Clandon Park is a Palladian-style mansion which was built in the 1920’s for Lord Onslow to impress guests like King George V and Queen Mary. The estate remained with the Onslow family for 400 years and was given to the National Trust way back in 1956. On the 29th April last year, a fire broke out in the basement of Clandon House and it suffered extensive damage. It took fire crews some 12 hours to put out the fire.
Much as the fire was devastating, the house was found to be structurally sound. Miraculously the Speakers’ Parlour remained largely unscathed and with some architectural features saved, the National Trust announced they would rebuild the mansion. It’s taken almost 18 months for the debris to be removed with the National Trust have provided us with the opportunity to have a look inside through a series of open days. It’s anticipated it will take five years to rebuild Clandon House with the ground floor restored to its former glory albeit not in the same guise.
Clandon Park was one of the first National Trust properties we visited when we moved to Surrey. With it being so local to us, it was quite surreal driving into the car park. Having arrived earlier than my allocated time slot though, I had time to take it all in and re-discover the gardens. It was strangely emotional (not in a crying kind of way but you know what I mean!) taking the pine tree lined path towards the house. I did smile to myself when I remembered the time POD tried to eat a pine cone there. On first glance, Clandon Park was just as it was before, if not better. From the grotto and the play area where POD practised her balancing skills to the Hinemihi with its beautiful carvings.
The atmosphere near the house initially felt a little solemn but there was an undeniable sense of optimism too. Occasionally the breeze brought with it a faint smell of burning and you could almost sense what it was like on that dreadful day. The nearby church bells bringing you back to reality. The National Trust has done a tremendous job at Clandon Park already, a timeline showing all the visitors how much has been achieved. It’s hard to imagine the scale of the task at hand. Some 400 items have been salvaged and a whopping 8 foot of debris removed. In doing so, the National Trust has discovered many original features survived, some of which have been hidden since the house was built.
The open days the National Trust is holding at Clandon Park must be booked in advance. Each consists of a safety briefing followed by a 30 minute visit inside. A specially designed walkway has been built although all visitors are required to wear a high visibility jacket and a hard hat.
The walkway is located in the Saloon where you can also see into the Marble Hall. It’s incredible to see that while the upper floors of Clandon House were destroyed so many walls and door arches remain. A number of the marble floor tiles are visible too – some with impact damage. Most astounding however is how the the Giacomo Leoni designed chimney piece survived. Heat has removed paint from Venus, Mars and Cupid in the centre but that’s still there. Putto’s foot was even found in the ash debris! Heat from the fire has bleached the Portoro marble around the fireplace white. Timber props protect the hearth opening and there is strapping elsewhere as you’d expect.
You can view the Marble Hall from the end of the purpose-built walkway. Not only does the mere sight of it take your breath away, two fireplaces, a statue and several pillars remain intact. The door way was somehow undamaged and a semi-circular window was even discovered above it, just incredible. Again the marble floor remains although it was damaged by the timber beams that fell on it.
One of the things I loved most of all about this visit was the people. The National Trust staff with their stories from before the fire, what’s happened since and how they’re excited for the future. The enthusiasm they have and their optimism was undeniably infectious. I love that the salvage operation has brought with it a great many discoveries and we’re thrilled Clandon Park is being rebuilt. It’s a superb idea to restore the ground floor to its former glory and the upper floors will no doubt be transformed into something very special. The National Trust is keen to keep visitors updated throughout so I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for us next.
While we’ll always have a soft spot for the National Trust, like anyone we’re particularly attached to properties that are local to us. Perhaps that’s why I spent a little longer than I should have done capturing Clandon Park. After leaving the house, I headed down Lime Walk which is from a 17th century garden designed by Royal garden designers. It leads to the Dutch Garden which, looking as beautiful as ever, was inspired by the sunken garden at Hampton Court Palace. In front of that is the bulb meadow which come spring time will be a carpet of yellow.
You can watch Clandon Park video updates from the National Trust here with more information here. If you attend an open day, don’t forget Hatchlands Park is just up the road.
