Trent Park House of Secrets review – the bugged stately home where German prisoners blabbed their secrets

Trent Park, London
A new museum in this redeveloped country house relives its fascinating period as a palatial prison of war camp – with Jewish refugees listening in from the basement

History happened here. I mean, history happens everywhere. But serious, important, world-shaping history happened at Trent Park.

Built on the grounds of Enfield Chase, an expanse of Hertfordshire countryside used as hunting grounds by royalty, this country house has lived many lives. It was a Georgian retreat, a Victorian mansion, a post-Edwardian sanctuary, and then, during the second world war, it became a place of secrets. Afterwards, it became a university campus, before falling into dereliction. Now, it has been revived, and its hidden stories brought into the light.