Pembroke Lodge, Georgian mansion in Richmond Park, England
Pembroke Lodge is a Georgian mansion set across two floors within Richmond Park, surrounded by eleven acres of grounds. The buildings now function as a public café and event venue, with landscaped gardens that offer views toward Windsor and the Chilterns in the distance.
The building began in 1754 as a small cottage for a man who caught moles, but was substantially rebuilt from 1787 onward when the Countess of Pembroke acquired and expanded it. This transformation from humble cottage to grand mansion shaped the structure we see today.
The lodge takes its name from Elizabeth Herbert, the Countess who transformed it in the 1700s. Today visitors gather in the cafés and walk the grounds, experiencing the same views and sense of place that once drew notable guests here.
The lodge is open most days of the year and operates as a café where visitors can stop for refreshments. On-site parking is available, and the grounds are accessible for walking, though some paths have gentle slopes.
From King Henry's Mound on the property, St Paul's Cathedral can be seen through a protected line of sight across London. This unusual vantage point was deliberately preserved and connects the lodge grounds to the distant city landmark.
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