Cumberland Lodge’s history dates back to the 17th century when John Byfield bought a plot of land in the Windsor Great Park, during the time crown lands was sold at preferential prices to officers of Cromwell’s army, and built Byfield House. When monarchy was restored in 1660, the crown lands were repossessed and Byfield House became the Ranger’s home. The only woman to hold the post of Ranger, the overseer of the Great Park, was Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough who was appointed by Queen Anne in 1702.
The lodge’s current name comes from its famous resident, the Duke of Cumberland, who was given the rangership in 1746 as a reward for Culloden. While each of the rangers added or modified the original house, the Duke is credited with the landscaping of its surroundings. Another famous ranger was Prince Albert, who was appointed by Queen Victoria, in 1841.
The present history of Cumberland Lodge has its roots in Amy Buller’s book ‘Darkness over Germany’, where she shared her perspectives of world war II. Buller felt that it was important to provide neutral, discussion spaces for university students to share diverse views and enable critical analysis of prevailing issues. The royal couple, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, supported Amy Buller’s initiative of starting up such a space in England and donated this country house for the cause in 1947. Initially known as St. Catherine’s foundation, it was incorporated into a charity called Cumberland Lodge in 2005, with the Queen as its patron.
I had the privilege of staying at this historical house, in January 2015, for a residential workshop. The weekend stay at this old and beautiful house, with a lot of history surrounding it and just an hour or so away from London, was one of the highlights of my year in the UK.
Cumberland lodge was modernized in the 1980s and opened up to non-student groups to help support the charity work. The Lodge can now be hired for conferences and weddings.
My favourite place at the lodge was the library, where the historic discussions around King Edward VIII’s abdication took place.
The Lodge can be seen in the movie ‘The King’s Speech’ depicting scenes at Sandringham House.
Which is your favourite travel memory of visiting a historic house?
[I am linking this to City Tripping #53 and Faraway File #14]
Perspectives Quilt 
I’ve yet to visit one of the many historic houses around England but it is definitely on my to do list! #citytripping
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The historic houses in the UK are definitely worth visiting.
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We’re incredibly lucky in the UK to have these houses. I don’t know Cumberland Lodge, but it can’t be far from where I live. How fortunate to actually get to stay inside! #citytripping
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I was lucky that my course at LSE had this weekend residential workshop at Cumberland Lodge as a mandatory part of the course.
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Wow, what an experience it must have been to stay in a lodge like this. I should watch The King’s Speech before visiting this lodge. #CityTripping
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I saw the King’s Speech years ago so couldn’t quite recall the scenes that were filmed at Cumberland lodge. I will need to see it again 🙂
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That’s pretty cool! I’d love the chance to stay in such a historic house! #CityTripping
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Thanks, Lorelei. Of interest is also the Royal Chapel, in the grounds of the Great Park, where the Queen goes for Sunday service while staying at the nearby Windsor Castle. A few in my group got the opportunity to go to the Chapel for the service.
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What a grand place and with so much history too. I’ve never heard of it before but I’d love a good wander about in it. Your photos are brilliant!
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Thank you. Cumberland Lodge is a beautiful place set amidst the Windsor Great Park and close to Windsor Castle so the surroundings are also beautiful.
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wow! you actually slept here? lucky you!:)
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Yes, I did get to sleep in a beautiful room in the main building of the Lodge, though didn’t get much time to explore as we were locked in the workshop sessions till late in the night.
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What a fantastic experience to stay in such a historic building. Really interesting to hear about its background and to see your fab pictures. Thanks for linking to #citytripping
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Thank you! It was a wonderful experience staying at Cumberland lodge and learning about some of its history.
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Wow! Lucky you, Durham last week and now Cumberland Lodge. #CityTripping
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Thanks, Catherine. Actually, I visited both places January and April of last year. I am only writing about them now on the blog.
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Ahila, it is nice to know a place like these has been dedicated to education and thought sharing. Would be fantastic to stay there! #citytripping
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It certainly is a special treat to stay here, Ruth.
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Oh I love to stay at such accommodation – full of history and heritage – as long as it’s not haunted hahah! Such a lovely place 🙂 #citytripping
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I didn’t get the feeling that the place was haunted. It was simply lovely, Kat.
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I didn’t know anything about Cumberland Lodge so it’s fascinating to read all about it. How lucky you were to spend some time here. Thanks for sharing with us on #FarawayFiles
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I was lucky indeed to have been able to spend some time at the lodge with my entire cohort at university. It was a fascinating place, especially as I had not known about it prior to that year.
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I love that Queen Anne appointed a woman as Ranger – good for her. She must have been a feminist. Amazing that you can stay in such a gorgeous place. You look like you’re having fun hitting up the library! I can just imagine those fraught abdication talks – incredible piece of history right there in that room.
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I too loved the fact that there had been a woman ranger at the park centuries ago. The lodge interior and especially the library was fascinating.
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What a fascinating place to stay Ahila and so close to Windsor Castle too. I can understand why it was one of the highlights of your stay in the UK. Thanks for joining us on #farawayfiles
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Cumberland lodge was certainly a fascinating place to stay. I did regret missing the service at the royal chapel on sunday since it was a long walk within the park from the lodge. However, I had fun exploring the library and indoors during that time.
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How fun to stay in such hallowed history! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
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It was a beautiful place to stay at, though we had very little time to explore the place.
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