Woodville palace has a history dating back to 1866 when Sir William Mansfield, Commander in Chief of the imperial army became the first resident of the charming estate. The Rana of Jubbal reconstructed the palace in 1938 when hundreds of expert artisans were brought from far and wide to ensure the highest quality of craftsmanship. Kanwar Udai Singh opened a part of the mansion as a guesthouse in 1977 and today; the palace is one of the finest places to stay in Shimla.