Now, for the first time, you can discover stories of the House for yourself.
As the House is finally unveiled and brought back to life, we are thrilled to share the museum's stories and its stunning interiors.
In the 1930s, Sir Philip Sassoon, one of the wealthiest men in England, entertained Churchill, the future Edward VIII, Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire here. Within a decade, the same rooms were wired with hidden microphones, secretly recording captured German generals – an intelligence operation ranked alongside Bletchley Park in importance.
Explore the State Rooms
On the ground floor, immerse yourself in the state rooms of Sir Philip Sassoon's glamorous 1930s residence, restored to their original splendour. Artwork and furnishings – including a John Singer Sargent sketch of Sassoon, Flemish tapestries and stunning Chinese lacquer cabinets – are reunited with the house for the first time since 1939. Lose yourself in the exquisite detail of our model of Trent Park House – painstakingly replicated with incredible details which took over 1,850 hours to make, with cut-away walls revealing the listening rooms below.
Descend into the world of the 'Secret Listeners'
Explore the fascinating concealed basement rooms where captured German generals were secretly recorded and see replica listening equipment and interactive displays. Uncover how a network of miniaturised bugging devices, hidden everywhere from light fittings to the billiard table, captured conversations between more than fifty German generals – intelligence that proved crucial to the Allied war effort.
Discover 413 acres of parkland
Stroll through Trent Park's rolling meadows, exquisite lakes and ancient woodland, forming part of London's Green Belt on the edge of Enfield. Once a royal hunting ground – the parkland is home today to muntjac deer, rabbits and pheasant
12 years in the making
Today's opening is the culmination of a campaign more than twelve years in the making. What began as a determined effort to save this house and its story has, through the dedication of the local Enfield community, campaigners, volunteers, funders, and many individuals and charitable trusts become the museum you can step into today.
Dr Giuseppe Albano MBE, Director, Trent Park House of Secrets, said: “Most people will come to Trent Park to discover the covert intelligence operation that took place here during the Second World War. What I hope will surprise them is that there is so much more to discover. Before the war, these rooms played host to conversations between politicians, royalty, writers and artists at a moment when Europe stood on the brink of conflict. We have taken great care to reveal the full significance of the house, weaving together stories from some of the most colourful and turbulent years of twentieth-century British history.”
Lord Cholmondeley and Jason Charalambous, Co-Chairmen, Trent Park Museum Trust, said: “After a decade of fundraising and restoration works, we are thrilled that these extraordinary stories can finally be revealed to inspire and inform the next generation. We are grateful to our dedicated and committed team, our generous donors, and the countless supporters who have helped us open Trent Park House for all to enjoy.”
Helen Lederer, writer and comedian, whose grandfather was a Secret Listener, Trustee, Trent Park Museum Trust, said: “The fact that my grandfather was a Secret Listener was a secret he took to the grave. It means so much that this chapter of little-known history can be told through the museum. To imagine what the Secret Listeners may have felt as they listened to the captive generals upstairs is as important as it is humbling.”
To everyone who played their part – thank you.
