TRENT PARK HOUSE: A CENTURY OF SECRETS

TRENT PARK HOUSE:
A CENTURY OF SECRETS 
By Sue Elliott 

Written by a former student who had previously lived there in the 1960's, you could say this listed mansion has had many lives of its own.
At one time owned by Sir Philip Sassoon, those in high society, including royalty, would cherish their visits and it's beautiful grounds. Royalty even lived out on the lake, in the form of two king penguins!

During the second world war, Trent Park and it's residents could not have been more different. Now requisitioned and surrounded by barbed wire, it would house German POW's and more crucially, selected high-ranking officers. Unbeknownst to them, the house had been rigged with secret microphones with a team of German speaking listeners working around the clock, listening to every word and gathering intelligence.

As peace returned to the world the house and grounds became a site for education, but gradually fell into a sorry state of repair. 
Thankfully, it has most recently been transformed throughout, to include a museum sharing it's important and varied history. Alongside this welcome news is this new and excellent book by Sue, which I found to be a most absorbing read.

The hardback book is available now, published by Pen & Sword.
I also thank P&S for this review copy.

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