Hedsor House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hedsor House |
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | country house |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Location | Hedsor, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°33′56″N 0°41′29″W / 51.5656°N 0.6914°W |
| Construction started | 1166 |
Hedsor House is a beautiful mansion in Buckinghamshire, England. It is built in the Italianate style. This means it looks like a grand Italian villa. The house sits high above the River Thames. Records show that a large house has been on this spot since 1166. In the 1700s, it was a royal home for Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. She was the mother of King George III.
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The Story of Hedsor House
Hedsor House has a very long and interesting history. It dates back to the year 1166. One famous person who lived here was Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. She was the mother of King George III. She also started the famous Kew Gardens.
From 1764, the house belonged to Lord Boston. Kings and Queens from nearby Windsor Castle often visited Hedsor House. The house and its large park overlook the River Thames.
The first design for the house was by Sir William Chambers. He also designed Somerset House in London. King George III and Queen Charlotte helped choose the perfect spot. They loved its high position above the Thames.
Sadly, a fire badly damaged the house in 1795. A new house was finished in 1868. It was designed by James Knowles. He also used the Italian villa style. But instead of an open courtyard, it had a special domed hall.
King George III and later Queen Victoria visited Hedsor House often. Baron Boston even built a special structure called a Folly. This was to remember King George's victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Hedsor House Today
The house you see today is built in the Italianate style. It is at the end of a long private road. The estate covers about 85 acres (34 hectares) of land. The park around the house is very special. It is listed as a Grade II historic park. This means it is an important part of England's history.
In 1934, Philip and Florence Shephard received Hedsor House as a wedding gift. Philip's father gave it to them.
In the 1950s, the US Air Force used Hedsor House. It was leased as a military base during the Cold War.
Later, in the 1960s, the house became a conference center. A company called International Computers Limited (ICL) used it. They held management courses there. People could even stay overnight in the house and stable yard.
Today, the Shephard family still owns and runs Hedsor House. It is now a popular place for weddings and company events.
Hedsor Park
Hedsor Park is the historic park that surrounds Hedsor House. It is a beautiful place with a long history. Queen Victoria often visited this park. It is listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens. This shows its importance as a historic site.
Famous Visitors and Events
Hedsor House has hosted many famous people and parties. Some well-known guests include David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, and Elton John. Other stars like Jason Statham, George Clooney, and Keira Knightley have also visited.
In September 2008, music producer Mark Ronson celebrated his 33rd birthday here. Many famous musicians and celebrities attended. These included Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and The Kaiser Chiefs.
Filming Location
Hedsor House is a popular place for filming movies and TV shows. Its grand look makes it perfect for different scenes.
It was used in the film The Golden Compass. It also appeared in the TV series Spooks. The house has even been used to look like famous places. It was the The White House in The Special Relationship. It also appeared as Downing Street in The Day of the Triffids.
Hedsor House was also featured in a reality TV show. It was called The Girls of Hedsor Hall. This show was based on a British series called Ladette to Lady. Music videos for songs like Jay Sean's "Down" and Zara Larsson's "Ain't My Fault" were filmed here.
In 2015, Tom Hardy filmed scenes for the movie Legend at the house. In 2016, it was used in a Nespresso advert. This advert showed George Clooney being taken to the mansion.
Quartet
Hedsor House was the main filming location for the 2012 movie Quartet. This comedy-drama film was directed by Dustin Hoffman. It was filmed entirely at Hedsor House in Autumn 2011. The movie stars famous actors like Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly. In the film, Hedsor House is called "Beecham House." It is a retirement home for professional musicians.
Mortdecai
The house was also used for the 2015 action-comedy film Mortdecai. This movie was directed by David Koepp. It starred Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Awards and Recognition
Hedsor House is a very popular place for weddings. It has even been recognized for its beauty. The Times newspaper included it in a list of the "Top 10 Regal Wedding Venues in the UK."
