Bentley Priory

We visited this 18th-19th century house in beautiful grounds as we happened to be in the area, on the northern edge of Greater London. It was designed by Sir John Sloane in 1775, close to the site of the original priory.

It has a very mixed history including being the residence of the dowager Queen Adelaide (Queen Victoria's aunt, who was married to King William IV) for a year before she died. It was also the headquarters from which Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding led the RAF Fighter Command during WWII. 

Part of the building and grounds is owned by a charity that runs the museum in remembrance of 'The Few' who fought in the air Battle of Britain. The remainder of the house is made up of private residences with amazing views across Middlesex, being situated at the county's highest point.

In the afternoon we moved on to visit our son and daughter-in-law and went out with them for a birthday celebratory meal. Lovely crisp, sunny day that began with a short light fall of snow. It didn't stick, just gave us a taste of winter.