The history of Cumberland Lodge as an educational charity begins in 1947, but the history of Cumberland Lodge the building dates back much further.

The Lodge was built in the 17th century by John Byfield, a captain in Oliver Cromwell’s army, and was originally known as Byfield House. It was taken over by Charles II following the restoration of the monarchy, and for much of its subsequent history it was the official residence of the Rangers of Windsor Great Park. The first to reside at the Lodge was Baptist May, Keeper of the Privy Purse. Other rangers to reside at the Lodge include Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, and William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, the third son of King George II and from whom the building takes its name.

In 1872, the Lodge became the home of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Helena, and her husband Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, until she died in 1923. After that, it was granted to Lord FitzAlan of Derwent, the last Viceroy of Ireland.

In 1936, Cumberland Lodge was used for key meetings between the King’s Private Secretary and Prime Minster Stanley Baldwin which eventually led to the abdication of King Edward VIII.

Upon Lord FitzAlan’s death in 1947, King George VI broke with tradition and Cumberland Lodge was granted to a new educational foundation. It was established by Amy Buller, who had recently published her groundbreaking book, Darkness over Germany, about the rise of Nazi sentiments amongst students and academics in Germany in the late 1930s

The Festival’s partnership with Cumberland Lodge goes back twenty-three years when Alastair Niven became Principal, and it continues to this day. The events staged at the Lodge are principally Literary Events, which reflect in some way the work of the Lodge, but we have also put on concerts in the garden, including most memorably The National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2011.