Hatchlands

Hatchlands Park is one of Surrey’s most graceful country estates, built in the 1750s for Admiral Edward Boscawen and later redesigned by the celebrated architect Robert Adam. Its most intriguing fact is its remarkable collection of historic keyboard instruments, assembled by the Cobbe family and featuring pieces played by composers such as Chopin, Mahler and Elgar. This makes Hatchlands one of the most significant music‑heritage houses in Britain. Inside, the mansion retains much of Adam’s elegant decorative style, with classical motifs, pastel colours and refined plasterwork. The principal rooms display fine furniture, family portraits and the extraordinary instruments themselves, each accompanied by stories of the musicians who once used them. The Saloon and Drawing Room are highlights, offering a blend of Georgian grandeur and intimate artistic history. Volunteers often share insights into the house’s changing ownership, including its years as a girls’ school during the 20th century. The surrounding parkland, laid out by Humphry Repton, adds to the estate’s charm. Sweeping lawns, woodland paths and views across the Surrey Hills create a peaceful setting, while the walled garden and courtyard buildings reveal the estate’s working past.