About the Society
The Society was founded in March 1987 to bring together people with an interest in Marble Hill House and Park, to encourage a wider knowledge with talks and events, and to help English Heritage to preserve and enhance its amenities.
Set in 66 acres of open parkland beside the river Thames at Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond, it is a classic example of an English Palladian villa.
The Marble Hill Society's social activities and lecture programme support the preservation of the house by raising both funds and public awareness. As a practical measure, members of the Society also support English Heritage by providing guided tours on a voluntary basis, both to the public on specific Sundays and also to pre-booked parties.
The Society has been able to help in the purchase new handwoven silk festoon curtains for the Great Room, a painting by Gawen Hamilton of the neighbouring Montague Family, four 18th century novels with handwritten annotations linking them to the house, as well as an 18th century mirror and set of chairs. It is a source of pride that all these acquisitions from the Society’s fund raising activities are now on display in the house.
The Society continues to press for maximum access to the house, particularly in the light of restricted opening times English Heritage have imposed in response to financial constraints. The published opening hours are supplemented by private viewings which the public can pre arrange with the house.
