Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been granted access to Dorneywood, the government's grace-and-favour mansion, marking a departure from Labour's traditional practice. This decision has sparked interest, as the property has typically been assigned to the deputy prime minister in previous Labour administrations.
Dorneywood, an 18th-century Georgian mansion situated in Buckinghamshire, has been listed with Reeves as its current occupant since July 2024. The property, donated to the National Trust in 1947 by Lord Courtauld-Thomson, boasts an impressive 215 acres of parkland and woodland, featuring 21 rooms, a swimming pool, conservatory, and croquet lawn.
The allocation of Dorneywood to the Chancellor rather than Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner breaks from the precedent set during previous Labour governments. Historically, the property has been used by various high-ranking officials, including former residents such as Sir Anthony Eden, James Callaghan, and Rishi Sunak.
Dorneywood's management is overseen by a trust comprised of peers, aristocrats, and heritage experts. The Prime Minister retains the authority to grant its use to any member of the government, while government departments can also request access through the trust.
The mansion has served multiple purposes throughout its history. During World War II, it housed officers from the Allied Air Forces. More recently, in April 2023, then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt organized a summit at Dorneywood to attract companies to the London stock market, inviting prominent private technology firm executives.
In a notable use of the property, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian national who was imprisoned in Tehran for nearly six years, was provided with Dorneywood as a "safe house" upon her release in 2022. This arrangement allowed her and her family to reunite away from media attention.
Dorneywood is one of several grace-and-favour properties utilized by the UK government, alongside Chequers (the Prime Minister's residence) and Chevening (typically used by the Foreign Secretary). These properties play a significant role in government functions and diplomatic affairs.
As Rachel Reeves settles into her role at Dorneywood, the decision to grant her access to this historic property underscores the evolving dynamics within the current Labour administration and the continued importance of these government estates in British political life.