White Lodge, Richmond Park

White Lodge
White Lodge, Richmond Park
Location	Richmond Park, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Coordinates	51°26′43″N 0°15′53″W / 51.4452°N 0.2648°W / 51.4452; -0.2648Coordinates: 51°26′43″N 0°15′53″W / 51.4452°N 0.2648°W / 51.4452; -0.2648
Built	1727–30
Architect	Roger Morris
Architectural style(s)	English Palladian
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: White Lodge
Designated	10 March 1981
Reference no.	1250045
Location in Greater London

White Lodge is a Grade I listedGeorgian house situated in Richmond Park, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Formerly a royal residence, it now houses the Royal Ballet Lower School, instructing students aged 11–16.

The house was built as a hunting lodge for George II, by the architect Roger Morris, and construction begun shortly after his accession to the throne in 1727. Completed in 1730 and originally called Stone Lodge, the house was renamed New Lodge shortly afterwards to distinguish itself from nearby Old Lodge, which was demolished in 1841. Old Lodge itself had been built by George II for Britain's first prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, who frequented it, particularly to hunt at the estate. Walpole said that he could "do more business there (Old Lodge) than he could in town".

Queen Caroline, consort of George II, stayed at the new lodge frequently and, on her death in 1737, White Lodge passed to her friend Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister. After his death, it came to Queen Caroline's daughter, Princess Amelia, in 1751. The Princess, who also became the ranger of Richmond Park, closed the entire park to the public, except to distinguished friends and those with permits, sparking public outrage. In 1758, a court case made by a local brewer against a park gatekeeper eventually overturned the Princess's order, and the park was once again opened to the public. Princess Amelia is remembered for adding the two white wings to the main lodge, which remain to this day. They were designed by Stephen Wright.