Provender was originally a magnificent hall house, the earliest parts of which date back to 1216, although the first recorded owner is Sir John de Provender in 1246. Today, the oldest rooms – including the magnificent vaulted Crown Post Room, recently restored - date from 1342, when Provender was a hunting lodge for the Black Prince’s chief archer, Lucas de Vienne. Wings and rooms were added in the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, making it an almost unique record of English building traditions over seven hundred years.
Provender is currently owned by Princess Olga Romanoff, the fourth generation of women in her family to live there since the late 19th century. When Princess Olga took over Provender in 2000 from her mother, Princess Andrew Romanoff, the house was almost derelict. Since then, under direction of conservation architect Ptolemy Dean and with support from English Heritage, there has been a programme of restoration, using specialist craftsmen and traditional techniques.
It is now open for public open day tours for 28 days a year, and private groups of up to 50 people can pre-book a tour at other times.
Tours last around an hour, and are friendly and informal, covering the history of the house, its restoration by Ptolemy Dean, and how it came to be the home of Prince Andrew Romanoff, the eldest nephew of the Tsar Nicholas II. Many tours are conducted personally by his daughter, Princess Olga.
Booking is not formally required for public open day tours, but numbers are limited, so to guarantee a place, please ring 07583 859790.
Open days
Open days are held on the first and last Sunday of every month from May to October.
Provender is NOT OPEN on Sunday 29th May 2011.
Tour times: 10.30am and 2pm.
Weekday tours are held the first Tuesday of every month from May to October.
Tour times: 10.30am and 2pm.
There will be eight open days in the winter. Please check website for dates.
To pre-book a group visit, please call 07583 859790 or write to Princess Olga Romanoff at the address above.