Sir Robert (1676-1745), later Earl of Orford, who was Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742 acquired and substantially enhanced a house here. He had added a further orangery to the existing one built to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) and an octagonal summer house designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1644-1726) by the riverside. At this time he and his lady were able to entertain to dinner: the consort of George II (1683-1760), Caroline of Ansbach (1683-1737) by whom he was held in high regard which was mutual; Frederick the Prince of Wales (1705-51); his siblings and, doubtless, one or two others. The logistics of getting the food, in good order, from the specially built outdoor kitchens to the orangery over some two hundred yards of open ground must have been a significant challenge to the servants. The Royal family and their hosts took tea after the dinner in the Octagon, where they were entertained by music from barges on the river and then with a ball and a bite of supper in the house.

O/S Co-ords:2795.7792
Source(s):

Chambers Biographical Dictionary

Chelsea