Marble Hill House and its gardens - a forgotten gem of Georgian England - will reopen to the public on Saturday.

The opulent Georgian rooms and its lost pleasure garden have been lovingly restored by English Heritage with a budget of £8 million.

Central to the renovation is the re-framing of the story of Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, a wronged woman who became the mistress and confidante to King George II.

Howard led the design of one of the few villas of the Georgian era specifically built for a woman.

And, significantly, it is one of the last survivors of the 18th-century villas and gardens that once bordered this area of the Thames.

The Countess created the neo-Palladian villa and landscape with the advice of fashionable connoisseurs, including the poet Alexander Pope.

He even suggested the Countess had made Marble Hill, in East Twickenham, more important than Kensington Palace, home to the Royal Family at the time in terms of the great figures who regularly visited.

He famously wrote in 1735: "There is a greater court now at Marble Hill than at Kensington."

English Heritage has restored and re-created some of the house's furniture including an intricate carved peacock motif table. Peacocks are the symbol of the ancient Roman goddess Juno, protector of women, suggesting Howard as the commissioner of the piece.

This impressive renovation includes a restoration of the original paint scheme of the house, preservation of the fine collection of early Georgian paintings and even a ninepin bowling alley in the garden.

In 1714, Henrietta Howard was made Woman of the Bedchamber to Caroline, Princess of Wales. Soon afterwards she also became mistress and confidante to the Prince of Wales, later King George II.

However, English Heritage's new interpretation reframes her story as far more than simply the King's mistress, exploring her abusive first marriage and the role deafness played in her life. It also charts her rise in Georgian society and the social circles she captivated.

Marble Hill not only embodies Howard's legacy as a patron of architecture and landscape gardening, but also stands as testament to a woman who fought hard for her independence and security.

Kate Mavor, English Heritage's Chief Executive, said: "English Heritage's restoration of Marble Hill has not only done justice to the house and gardens but to its owner, the remarkable Henrietta Howard.

"This summer we're inviting local people, Londoners, and everyone to discover – and enjoy – one of the forgotten gems of Georgian England."

Stuart McLeod, Director England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of works at Marble Hill.

"Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, a £5million grant helped to restore this historically important 18th-century villa and pleasure gardens.

"With community at the heart of the restoration, this ambitious makeover ensures the house at Marble Hill and park will be enjoyed by visitors and its local community for many years to come."

The villa is a textbook example of neo-Palladian architecture, the building style inspired by the Italian architect Palladio and based on classical principles.

Charles Bridgeman, later royal gardener to King George II, together with poet Alexander Pope, were both significant contributors to the design of an 'Arcadian' landscape for Henrietta Howard.

English Heritage's team of gardeners and volunteers have reinstated this all-but-lost design, opening up previously inaccessible woodland areas, re-installing serpentine paths, re-planting the avenues of trees from the house to the river and thus re-creating the vista that the owner and her guests enjoyed.

The sports pitches and changing facilities have been dramatically improved, the Coach House Café refurbished, and a new play area created.

This has all been accompanied by a huge volunteer drive and an extensive programme of community events, bringing local people and Londoners back to the park through stories and themes, inspired by Henrietta Howard and her home.

Marble Hill Revived was made possible by a £3m investment from English Heritage and a £5m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Marble Hill will re-open to the public, five days a week (Wednesdays to Sundays), on 21 May. Entry to the house is free. For more information and to keep up-to-date, visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/marble-hill-house/