Cliveden

Cliveden is a historic country estate on the north bank of the River Thames near Taplow in Buckinghamshire, England. The main house, Cliveden House, is a Grade I listed building whose core dates to the late 17th century and has been expanded and redesigned in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

The estate includes extensive grounds with formal gardens, long terraces, and woodland walks that overlook the river. Notable features include the Italian Garden and a riverside terrace that frames views across the Thames.

Over the centuries the property passed through several noble owners before being acquired in the early 20th century by the Astor family. In the 1930s it became associated with a social circle known as the Cliveden Set, renowned for its influence on contemporary politics and diplomacy.

In 1942, large parts of the estate were transferred to the National Trust. Today the grounds are open to the public, while the house operates as a luxury hotel and event venue, preserving the site's heritage while supporting conservation.

Cliveden remains an important example of English country-house history, landscape design, and social history, attracting visitors for its architecture, gardens, and associations with 20th-century politics and culture.