Dorneywood
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Dorneywood is a moderately large Queen Anne style house built in 1920, near Burnham in Buckinghamshire. It was gifted to the National Trust in 1947 as a country home for a senior member of the Government. The donor was Lord Courtauld-Thomson.
The Prime Minister alone decides which Minister or Secretary of State is to occupy the house. In previous administrations it has been the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; however, at present it serves as the country retreat of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Various former Prime Ministers (before achieving the premiership) have occupied the house, among them Anthony Eden; he and his wife had disliked the house. However, on becoming Prime Minister, Alec Douglas-Home was reluctant to forsake the more comfortable and modern Dorneywood for the antique splendours of Chequers. Another, James Callaghan as Foreign Secretary, also had the use of Dorneywood (later Chevening was to become the official country home for the holder of that office). The last person to have lived at the house before becoming Prime Minister was John Major.
The interior if the house contains some stunning decorations by Rex Whistler, as well as paintings and furniture belonging to the national art collection. There is also furniture belonging to the National Trust.
The estate consists of the house and approximately 200 acres (0.8 km²) of parkland, woodland and farmland. The 1930s style gardens are open to the public and administered by the National Trust. The upkeep of the estate is in part supported by the Dorneywood Thomson Endowment Trust Fund.
The house is not open to the public.