Stratfield Saye House

At the heart of the Wellington Estate

The Duke of Wellington approved the estate on his first visit in September 1817. He liked the park, with the River Loddon flowing through it, the woods and its relatively easy access to London and Windsor. He planted a Cedar across the river from the house, which has now grown into a magnificent tree.

Stratfield Saye House had originally been built in the 1630s, on the site of an even older house, when Sir William Pitt, Comptroller of the Household to James I, had acquired the estate from the Dadridgecourt family. Sir William’s great grandson George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers, who also built the present church, made many improvements to the house and park, planting trees and dredging the River Loddon to create a Broadwater to look like a lake in front of the house. It was his son, the 2nd Lord Rivers who sold the house and estate to the 1st Duke of Wellington.

Wyatt had envisaged demolishing the existing house and building a splendid new ducal Palace, as a more suitable setting for a hero. Magnificent plans were drawn up, but Wellington soon decided against building a new house. He was pleased enough with the existing one and more importantly, so were his wife and children.
In 1845 Queen Victoria indicated that she would like to come and stay. The Duke was well aware that whilst his house was a comfortable residence for himself, his family and friends, entertaining the Sovereign and Her Court was a very different matter. The visit passed very successfully, with the Queen and Prince Albert very pleased with their stay. The Queen recorded in her journal, “Stratfield Saye is a low and not very large house, but warm and comfortable”.

The Duke died at Walmer Castle in September 1852 and is buried in the crypt of St. Paul’s cathedral. But all these years later, nowhere holds a stronger impression of Wellington the man, than Stratfield Saye.

Now over 200 years later, Stratfield Saye House is still the private home of the 9th Duke of Wellington. It only opens a handful of days a year, where the public are allowed to visit.

Book tickets for Stratfield Saye House & Grounds

Stratfield Saye House is now closed until 2024.

Wellington Country Park is an award-winning destination for a family day in the country. Wellington Riding is an international competition venue and award-winning equestrian centre. Wellington Farm Shop has high quality local produce, an award-winning butchery and a café with views of the Estate. The Barns at Wellington offers a private fitness facility. Wellesley Prep School is a unique co-educational school set within 100 acres of the Estate, with 300 children from 2-13 years old. Wellington Arms Hotel is a country hotel and restaurant.

In addition, there are many residential and commercial rented properties, a number of country sporting activities and generations of tenant farmers.