A guide to the stunning Cliveden House and what to see and do
All you need to know about the stunning 17th century Cliveden House, built when the Stuart king Charles II was on the throne
Where is Cliveden House?
Clivedon House overlooks the River Thames near Taplow, Maidenhead.
How to get to Cliveden House
Leave M4 (exit 7) onto A4 or M40 (exit 4) onto A404 and follow signs for Cliveden. The nearest train station is Taplow (2.5 miles).
How old is Cliveden House?
Built in 1666 as a lavish gift to his mistress by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, Cliveden House has famously passed through the hands of dukes, earls, viscounts and even a prince.
What is Cliveden most famous for?
However, the house is most associated with one family – the Astors. William Waldorf Astor was the richest man in America when he paid $1.2m for the house in 1893 (a year after faking his own death). He was made 1st Viscount Astor and his daughter-in-law, Nancy Astor, became the first woman in the UK to take a seat as an MP.
The Profumo Affair
But the family never recovered from arguably the biggest scandal of the 1960s: the Profumo Affair. The married Secretary of State for War John Profumo met 19-year-old model Christine Keeler at Cliveden and they began a relationship. However, she was also seeing a Soviet naval attaché. This was an awkward state of affairs during the Cold War and Profumo was eventually forced to resign.
Can you stay at Cliveden and what can you see and do there?
Yes you can stay at Cliveden. Today Cliveden – perched high above the Thames atop a chalk cliff – doubles as a luxury hotel but even if you are not staying you can still grab a guided tour that includes the family chapel. The grounds are open to the public and comprise 300 acres of woodland and 80 acres of formal gardens, including an oriental water garden, Lord Astor’s sculpture collection and a maze.
You can even hit the scenic Cliveden Reach of the River Thames on a mini cruise or by hiring one of Cliveden’s wide variety of boats: electric launches, rowing boats, Canadian canoes, pedal boats, or even Lady Astor’s very own electric canoe (boatingatcliveden.co.uk).
One note though: this is the National Trust’s second most popular property so if you can visit at quieter times, you’ll have a quieter time of it.
Also nearby: The Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham – a space dedicated to former Cookham resident and one of Britain’s best-loved artists.
More day out ideas
- Spectacular National Trust walks
- Spectacular royal palaces, castles and houses to visit
- Best gardens to visit in the UK
- Britain’s most impressive castles