Magnificient Mentmore

Article with colour photographs.  Article details Mentmore house bought by Hannah Rothschilds in 1842 for her four sons to exercise and get fresh air away from London.  The first of seven Rothschilds houses to be bought or built between Waddesdon and Tring.  Baron Mayer de Rothschilds and his bride moved near by and in 1850 commissioned a mansion to be built.  The designer was the same as created Crystal Palace.  The Mansion was more a corporate hospitality venue with many guests and parties. Mentmore Towers was left to their daughter another Hannah Rothschilds.  She married Lord Rosebery who became Prime Minister.  On his death his son offered Mentmore in lieu of death duties for £3million.  the government refused and all the art was sold globally.  The Maharishi Foundation bought the property in 1999.  However, today it is owned by the Halabi Trust who with English Heritage support aim to renovate it over 2 years to become a 101 bedded six star hotel.  Planning permission is awaited.