Grayshott is nestled in a corner of England rich in heritage and culture just one hour from London. The house was once the country seat of Victorian Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
History of Grayshott from 1085 AD
1085: The parish of Headley, which included the present-day area of Grayshott, was part of the manor of Bishops Sutton, which was held by Eustace, Count of Boulogne. His granddaughter, Matilda, married King Stephen (1135 to 1154), who gave the manor to his brother, Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester.
1167: The current area of Grayshott was a settlement when, still in the hands of the Bishop, it became the manor of Wishanger.
1185: The first recorded mention of the name Grayshott, in the form of 'Gravesetta', was recorded in the Pipe Rolls.
1250: The name 'Gravesetta' was recorded in the Bishop's Rolls.
1550: The wills of a family with the name 'Grashot' of 'Grayshot' were recorded.
1551: Shows the name of Grayshott landowners as being subject to the tithe to the parish of Headley, the area being some 150 acres.
1552: 'Graveshott' was recorded in the perambulating of Headley.
1773: The hamlet of Grayshott records 31 inhabitants.
1797: The Grayshott settlement manor was bought by the Miller family of Froyle.
1850: The present day village of Grayshott was still common land to the parish of Headley, there being as yet no parish of Grayshott. To the west of the current village there was a small settlement where Grayshott Spa now stands.
1859: Haslemere became linked to London by railroad.
1867: The Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson rented accommodation in Grayshott Farm for himself, his family and three servants. Tennyson had come to visit a Mrs Gilchrist, who wrote:
'The Tennysons... have taken a house at Grayshott, that will serve their purpose for a time, enabling them to judge how the climate suits and to be on the watch for any land that might be on the market. I have undertaken to see the furnishing of the house.'
1868: The house was now a substantial stone and slate building, comprising a drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen, dairy, knife room, pantry, eight bedrooms, linen closet and water closet. There was also a two-stall stable, coach house, stalls for the horses, a barn and cowshed, which all stood in 224 acres. The manor was then sold to John Rowan Phillips. The estate comprised 1794 acres. He also changed the name to Grayshott Hall.
1882: Up for sale again, 'the picturesque, modern, small manor', as described in the sales catalogue, was again renovated to include an entrance lodge, more stables, a wine cellar and more closets.
1883: Joseph Whitaker of Palermo acquired the estate, giving it to his son Alexander Ingham Whitaker.
1886-7: Joseph Whitaker's son again rebuilt the hall and continued to live there until 1928, selling the greater part of the estate in 1921. It was during this rebuilding that the feature of the tower was added, along with two interesting mottos:
As you enter you will see:
PAX INTRANTIBUS (Peace as you enter)
Upon leaving you will see:
SALUS EXEUNTIBUS (Health as you leave)
1928: The hall falls from its prominent position as a guiding light for the village and changes hands several times, although the structure did not change dramatically.
1960: Mr A S Stalbow bought the property on behalf of G R (Holdings) PLC. Over the next five years, the property was converted into a health and fitness retreat.
1965: Grayshott Hall opened as a health and fitness retreat.
1971: The Century Wing was added, giving the hall a further 21 bedrooms.
1983: The hall underwent extensive refurbishment, whilst ensuring that none of the character of the original building was lost.
1986: The new gym complex for the further enjoyment of guests was added.
1991: The new indoor tennis courts were built, the spa was refurbished and the hydrotherapy suite added.
2002: The gym was extensively refurbished and a new dance and exercise studio added.
2005: The property was purchased by Simon Lowe, and an exciting refurbishment programme got underway. This included the addition of a new outside pool, refurbishment of all public areas, guest rooms and suites, the addition of a new cinema and Bubbles Bar.
The property is now called Grayshott Spa.