‘Small talk of the week’

At the beginning of a new century, Marble Hill by the Thames, was to find itself the “small talk of the week”:

At the beginning of last week, Marble Hill was once again in the news:

I agree with all that Helen Monger says as Director of London Parks and Gardens Trusts. I am reminded of this passage by Vladimir Nabokov from, Speak, Memory:

and this passage by Julian Barnes from The Lemon Table:

For lots of wonderful details on Marble Hill, the house, gardens and occupants please visit English Heritage