Cliveden History and Room

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

Commissioned the first house at Cliveden in 1666 and was a favourite of King Charles II.

Buckingham's Tower

A private tower allegedly built by the Duke of Buckingham at Cliveden for secret meetings with his mistress.

The Orkney family

Rebuilt Cliveden after the original house burned down in 1795.

Early neoclassical style

Architectural style that characterized the rebuilding of Cliveden after the 1795 fire.

A catastrophic fire

Cause of the destruction of the second Cliveden house in 1849.

Charles Barry

Prominent British architect who designed the present Cliveden House completed in 1851.

The Palace of Westminster

Major London landmark designed by Charles Barry.

William Waldorf Astor

The American-born millionaire who purchased Cliveden in 1893 and restored it as a grand social center.

Family dispute

Reason why William Waldorf Astor moved to Britain and purchased estates like Cliveden.

Nancy Astor

A member of the Astor family who inherited Cliveden and became one of its most famous hostesses.

First woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons

Historic political milestone achieved by Nancy Astor in 1919.

The Cliveden Set

A group of influential figures accused of promoting appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Appeasement

Policy associated with the Cliveden Set before World War II, believed to influence British foreign policy.

The Profumo Affair

Cold War-era political scandal in 1963 linked to events at Cliveden.

Stephen Ward

Introduced John Profumo to Christine Keeler at Cliveden.

Christine Keeler

Young woman involved in the Profumo Affair, also linked to a Soviet naval attaché.

The Parterre

Notable garden at Cliveden redesigned in the early 20th century to resemble an Italian Renaissance terrace garden.

The 'Rape of Proserpina'

Sculpture at the center of the Cliveden Parterre fountain representing the mythological abduction of Proserpina.

High above a steep slope overlooking the River Thames

Geographical feature that makes Cliveden’s terrace particularly striking.

National Trust

Organization to which Waldorf Astor donated Cliveden in 1942 to preserve the estate.

Long-term leaseback agreement

Arrangement that allowed the Astor family to continue living at Cliveden after its donation.

A hospital and nursing school

Medical institution that occupied Cliveden after World War II.

In the mid-1980s

When Cliveden transitioned from institutional use to a luxury hotel.

A luxury country house hotel

Type of establishment Cliveden operates as today while still being part of the National Trust estate.

Anna Maria Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury

Royal mistress rumored to have visited Cliveden during the time of its first owner, the Duke of Buckingham.

Duel in 1668

Scandalous event involving the Countess of Shrewsbury and the Duke of Buckingham.

Disguised as a page boy

Shocking detail reported about the Countess of Shrewsbury during the duel between Buckingham and her husband.

For privacy and dramatic views

Reason why the Duke of Buckingham built Cliveden high above the River Thames.

Associated with Buckingham’s romantic affairs

Private structure at Cliveden known as Buckingham’s Tower.

A place associated with aristocratic pleasure and scandal

Reputation gained by the original Cliveden estate during the Restoration period.

George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham

Powerful political figure of the Restoration court known for his extravagant lifestyle and affairs at Cliveden.

Numerous affairs, duels, and political intrigue

Reasons why Buckingham was considered one of the most scandalous figures of Charles II’s court.

Libertine court culture of King Charles II

Influence on the atmosphere of early Cliveden gatherings.

A gathering involving a Cabinet minister and a young model

Type of scandal at Cliveden linked to the Profumo Affair.

John Profumo

British Secretary of State for War involved in the Profumo Affair.

Swimming pool during a summer party

Location where John Profumo first met Christine Keeler on the Cliveden estate.

Figures on the newel posts

Design element representing Cliveden’s history, created by Pearson in the new Entrance Hall.

Cliveden Set

Term referring to Whig political circles, coined at Cliveden in the 1860s.

A large bronze statue by William Theed

Statue commemorating Prince Albert at Cliveden.

Chatsworth House

Notable building designed by Sir Charles Barry.

Sir Charles Barry

Architect known for designing the present Cliveden House and associated with the Gothic Revival.

Charles Bridgeman

Pioneer of the English landscape garden known for breaking rigid symmetry in layouts.

The 1st Viscount Astor

Individual who largely designed the interior appearance of Cliveden observed today.

William Waldorf Astor's donation

Action taken to preserve Cliveden for the nation while allowing continued family residence.

Nancy Astor

Prominent hostess at Cliveden who played a significant role in its social scene.

Cliveden Set

Group of influential figures famously associated with leading political and social events.

Disastrous fire in 1795

Major event that significantly impacted the history and structure of Cliveden.

The River Thames

Significant geographical landmark viewed from Cliveden.

The garden

Element designed to enhance the aesthetic of the Cliveden estate, evidencing its grand history.

The First World War

Conflict that saw significant changes in the political landscape, impacting figures associated with Cliveden.

Cliveden House Built

Built in 1666, the same year as the Great Fire of London.

Number of Families at Cliveden

Seven families have lived at Cliveden House since it was first built.

Astor Family Wealth

The wealthiest family in the United States at the turn of the 19th century.

William Waldorf Astor Purchase

Bought Cliveden House in 1893 for £1.25 million.

Interior Design of Cliveden Designed by

Lord William Waldorf Astor, responsible for the interiors in the main public areas.

French Dining Room Original Name

Louis XIV Room.

Origin of the French Dining Room Panels

Panels and marble were taken from Château d'Asnières in Paris after Astor fell in love with them during a trip around 1897.

Famous Guests Who Dined at Cliveden

Charlie Chaplin, Rudyard Kipling, George Bernard Shaw, Winston Churchill, Lyndon B. Johnson, Franklin D. Roosevelt

Nancy Astor Married Into the Family

1907

Nancy Astor Role

host of grand dinner parties

Nancy Astor Political Achievement

First woman to take a seat in the House of Commons.

Nancy Astor and Women's Voting Rights

Helped support women gaining the vote in 1918.

The Profumo Affair Location

Began at Cliveden's outdoor swimming pool.

Year of the Profumo Affair

July 1961.

Year of the Profumo Affair Broke to Public

1963

Christine Keeler

Woman involved in the scandal who met John Profumo at the Cliveden pool.

John Profumo

Secretary of State for War in the Conservative government

Cold War Element of the Scandal

Keeler was also involved with a Russian boyfriend who was a spy

Outcome of the Profumo Affair

Court trial, a suicide of one of Keeler's friends, collapse of the Conservative government, and the end of Cliveden's golden era.

Cliveden Given to National Trust

1966 after the deaths of Lord and Lady Astor.

Stanford University at Cliveden

Used as a Stanford University campus in the 1970s.