Dorney Court

Dorney Court has been the home of the Palmer family for more than 450 years, passing from father to son through thirteen generations. It is a Grade 1 listed building, further designated as being of outstanding architectural and historical interest. Dorney Court has always been the manor house of Dorney village which was first recorded in the Doomsday Book.

Dorney Court has been open to the public since 1981. A great deal has been achieved in restoring and preserving the historic house and gardens for the future. This has been possible thanks to the interest and patronage of visitors from the four corners of the globe. The House and Estate show the evolution of the squirearchy in English country life, and of particular interest are the early family portraits, furniture and needlework.

The house is surrounded by attractive gardens, making it an oasis of living history. Dorney Court has for many centuries been the focus of country life on the western fringes of Royal Windsor. The manor house lies close to the village and common, where cattle and sheep still graze. The surrounding farmlands are carefully tended as they have been for generations.

Horticulture has been central to the people of Dorney. The first pineapple grown in England was believed to have been grown in the village at Pin Cottage. The pineapple became the symbol for the whole of the Restoration! Today a large carved stone pineapple stands in the Great Hall, while adjacent to the house, within the old kitchen garden, lies The Walled Garden Centre.

General Information: