A view of the Conservatory which is an extension of the State Drawing Room; the west lawn is in the distance. The columns and scroll relief of the entrance arch complement those on the far wall.

Conservatories, a feature of grand nineteenth century houses, expressed the romantic desire to escape from artificiality and return to nature.

Photographs of this room taken in 1901 during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary) show it much more like a fern-house in appearance, with many exotic palms, ferns and potted plants arranged luxuriantly on shelving around the walls. Today Thonet bentwood settees occupy the perimeter space.

The detailed mouldings on the ceiling, walls and ceiling rose were once highlighted in a variety of colours. Drapes covered the archway. The room was described in 1890 as having a 'sombre richness', certainly not the case today.

In the past, this elegant room functioned as a separate apartment. In the 19th century, heavy drapes hanging from the archway partitioned it off from the State Drawing Room. In the 1930's curtains hung from above the archway obscured the room completely. Today it is open to the Drawing Room.

In the afternoon, sunlight streams in over the west lawn. The light is enhanced by keeping the room relatively clear, lending it a glowing, almost translucent quality which is its hallmark today.