 After Peel died in 1912 it was let for about ten years to Harriet Farley, widow of Reuben Farley, who immersed herself in the local community, until Peel's son Sidney Peel returned to live there.In 1934 the house was sold to Sir Malcolm Stewart and the formal gardens were established.After Princess Margaret decided not to buy The Lodge (having been advised that a public bridleway through the grounds was a security risk), the RSPB acquired it in 1961.