The late Queen Mother spent the first week of her honeymoon at Polesden Lacey, a Regency house with 1,400 acres of parkland near Great Bookham, Surrey, in 1923, and now visitors can soak up the experience of being a guest of the formidable Edwardian hostess Mrs Margaret Greville.

She left it to the National Trust in memory of her father, the brewery magnate William McEwan, who had owned it.

Paul Dearn, the house manager, is pioneering the role of curator-turned-impresario to bring new visitors to the house and conducts tours.

For a few days next month he will also dress up in tails, welcoming parties of children to see the 16ft Christmas tree and the elegant rooms decked out in garlands, just as Mrs Greville once dressed her house.

After living in the private apartment vacated by Mrs Greville on her death in 1942, Mr Dearn says he feels connected to the past of the house. “I am able to live and breathe the ambience. Living here gives me that sense of history and I hope I pass on my enthusiasm to the visitors.”

One of the pleasing aspects of Polesden Lacey is that there are no ropes or barriers in the rooms and visitors can wander around as if in a private home. They can also use the grand balcony on the first floor, which overlooks the hall and main entrance, just as Mrs Greville’s guests used to do.

Many local people come each day to the balcony and sit in the comfortable sofas to read The Times, scan through glossy magazines such as Country Life and The Field and play favourite Edwardian tunes from among the house’s collection of 78s on a gramophone.

Mr Dearn said: “Sometimes people get up and dance. There is room for about 30 people on the balcony and the visitors really have a fabulous time. People can stay as long as they like. We have a few regulars who I know come to read the newspapers.”

In the salon on the ground floor a rosewood Steinway Baby Grand is a centrepiece of the room and volunteers play when the house is open, with visitors also encouraged to try their hand.

Next year the house will also be available for wedding receptions but cannot be licensed for wedding ceremonies because it lacks a dedicated room.

Mr Dearn wants the house to occupied as much as possible. The grounds and landscaped walks are already popular with dog-walkers and young families.

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