Easton Lodge

Easton Lodge was a Victorian Gothic style stately home to the west of Great Dunmow, Essex in England. Once famous for its weekend society gatherings frequented by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), it was one of many country houses destroyed during the 20th century. Part of the west wing (rebuilt as a separate house after a fire in 1918 for use as servants' quarters) still stands; and the Grade II listed gardens designed by Harold Peto have been largely restored and opened to the public.

History

Designed by Thomas Hopper, Easton Lodge replaced an earlier Elizabethan mansion destroyed by fire in 1847, which in turn replaced an earlier hunting lodge. The hunting lodge and grounds were granted to Henry Maynard in 1590 by Queen Elizabeth.

Most famous of those who lived at the house was Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, who was born Frances Evelyn Maynard at Easton Lodge in 1861 and inherited the estate when just four years old. She become a socialite and mistress to King Edward VII, and continued to live at Easton Lodge with her husband, the 5th Earl of Warwick after her marriage. As a result the Lodge became famous for its society gatherings. The family of H. G. Wells also lived in one of the properties on the Easton Lodge estate.