The Mansion at Albury Park - History

Albury Park Mansion has been considered one of Surrey's major country houses for at least 500 years. The original dwelling was recorded in the Domesday survey as Elderberrie Manor  but after Sir John Evelyn created what were to become famous gardens and parkland at the turn of the 17th century, the site of the Mansion became recognised as one of the most beautiful spots in the County. The gardens themselves are occasionally open to the public and visitors watch the Tillingbourne river meandering through the grounds by the tiny Saxon church in a timeless atmosphere which enchants all.

History dictates difficult times when the House burnt down on two occasions, the last one being in 1697 which left only the Tudor cellars to testify to its earlier history. After this it remained much the same for about 100 yrs until in 1800 the then owner, Samuel Thornton, who was governor of the Bank of England, asked its architect, Sir John Soane, to build what is believed to be his first cantilevered staircase for the main hallway and to create a gloriously elegant drawing room. This latter is an exquisite example of his work, decorated in the famous Soane Yellow with heavily gilded mirrors, arched ceilings.and delicately ornamental plaster work. The room floods with golden light and the early sunshine catches and sparkles on a 300 year old Waterford chandelier. The current Library was known as "the Great Room" in 1762 when George III held his Coronation Ball at Albury and the huge marble fireplace with its massive open fires dates from 1648. The ceilings here are seven metres high and decorated with 64 carved and gilded lions' heads typical of the period.

In 1819 the Mansion was purchased by the banker Henry Drummond and he briefed Augustus Pugin to completely alter the external character of the rambling house which was then classical but partly gothicised by Hakewill. Pugin's changes were far reaching and experts are divided on the sheer power of his design:  visitors will see an imposing façade of Tudor/Victorian design with brick dressings and a maze of 63 individually designed brick chimneys. In the Reception Hall there is an ornate overmantle carved in the late C17th by Jan van Santvoor and evidence can be seen from the extensive oak panelling there that both Augustus, the father, and his son contributed to the work.It was during this period that, with far reaching influence, Drummond frequently entertained several powerful politicians including Lord Shaftesbury and Lord Palmerston. In 1845 Drummond's eldest daughter married the 6th Duke of Northumberland and after her father's death the estate passed through her to the Percy family. It remained in their stewardship until 1970 by which time it had lain unused and become a liability and was thus sold to the Country House Association.

Work immediately started to convert the Mansion into apartments although the major reception rooms were retained and restored. By 2003 the charity was deeply in debt and forced to put all their nine houses on the market. In May 2004 Albury Park Mansion was bought by Nigel and Jennifer Whalley and although it remains in their stewardship today, historical ties to the village remain and the Mansion is made available for local events and the support of the community.  Work has started to improve the existing apartments by increasing their sizes in order to accommodate the demand today.The Library and Soane Drawing Room are being refurbished to their former glory and will continue to host corporate events and weddings as with a house the size and scope of Albury, one has to take a long term view.