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The Villages Delightful Villages, vibrant communities

ENGLEFIELD GREEN
Englefield Green is a pleasant and prosperous residential village to the west of Egham. The Green itself, which is Crown property leased to the Borough Council, provides a traditional focal point for the village. Cricket is played there, and Fairs are held on the Green along with a host of other local events every year. The almost Hardy-like rural associations, combined with the old English tradition of a village green pub, the Barley Mow, make it a relaxing place to visit on a summer’s evening.

Englefield Green was popular with the aristocracy and gentry in bygone days, and there are a number of imposing residences which reflect occupation by some of the country’s wealthiest patrons. The Old House dates from 1715 and Englefield House was built in the late 18th Century. The last duel fought in Britain took place in the vicinity of the Green and the unfortunate loser was taken to the Barley Mow where he drew his last breath.

The great architectural feature of Englefield Green is Royal Holloway, part of the University of London, which stands among trees, gardens and playing fields between the village and the railway. This vast and splendid building was originally Royal Holloway College, one of the first women’s colleges in the country when it was opened by Queen Victoria in 1886. It is one of the most impressive Victorian structures anywhere around London and was built between 1879 and 1887 by Thomas Holloway whose genius for advertising and marketing his patent medicines made him a fortune which he used in part to build his College.

The original Royal Holloway College building, now known as ‘Founder’s’, is in the French Renaissance style of the Chateau at Chambord on the Loire. It measures 550 by 376 feet and is built around a double courtyard. The exterior is ornate with an amazing array of chimneys, turrets, gables, balustrades and classical urns which combine to make a castle-like roofline visible over the treetops from miles away. Inside ‘Founder’s’ are a number of remarkable formal rooms, including a chapel, a library, and a picture gallery. The gallery houses paintings by some of the best known Victorian artists including Millais, Landseer, Fildes, Frith, Holl and Maclise. It is open to the public on certain days as advertised locally. In addition, tours can be specially arranged on request.

The University itself is now home to a vibrant community of 5,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students from more than 90 countries. The College enjoys an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research across the sciences, arts and humanities. In addition, the College is actively widening its contact with the local community through the provision of research facilities, tailor-made short courses for industry and commerce and programmes of public lectures and concerts. It also provides an excellent venue for conferences and banquets.

Englefield Green merges, on the north, into Cooper’s Hill, a pleasant locality that offers a marvellous panorama of Runnymede and the Thames. It is an appropriately peaceful setting for the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial. The Memorial records the names of 20,000 airmen who died in the 2nd World War and have no known grave. More than 60 years after the end of the war surviving airmen still travel long distances to leave flowers and commemorative cards beneath the graves of their fallen comrades. The Memorial was the first new building to be given Grade 1 listed status after the war.

NEW HAW AND WOODHAM

The pleasant residential communities of New Haw and Woodham lie just south of Addlestone on the road towards Woking. The Government’s Veterinary Research Laboratories are situated in New Haw. The Heathervale Recreation Ground provides a 12 acre open space with facilities for several sports, including tennis. There is an active Community Association in New Haw, complete with modern Community Centre, and a well equipped Day Centre to provide lunches and social facilities for older residents. The Basingstoke Canal meanders picturesquely through the area and provides pleasant towpath walks and cycle rides.

OTTERSHAW, LYNE AND LONGCROSS

The attractive residential village of Ottershaw is situated in pleasant woodlands between Addlestone and Chertsey. The Council’s Memorial Playing Field, situated in Foxhills Road, has a refreshing rural aspect, as does Foxhills Golf and Country Club; this has two 18 hole golf courses and a clubhouse.

To the west of Chertsey are Lyne and Longcross, villages that are surprisingly rural in appearance with well farmed land on all sides. One of the farms in Lyne - Redlands - is half timbered and dates from the 15th to 17th centuries. The church, like most of the village, is Victorian and dates from 1849. It is cruciform in plan and is set beside tall evergreens in a pleasantly landscaped churchyard. Also at Lyne, but no longer open to the public, is Almner’s Priory, a house partly dated from 1830 and partly from Medieval times. It was formerly the almoner’s house of Chertsey Abbey and it has a tall square brick dovecote in its grounds. Railway enthusiasts will be captivated by the Great Cockrow Railway in Hardwick Lane, which claims to be finest of its type in the world. More than 20 miniature steam engines whisk passengers around the two mile 71/2 inch gauge system with authentic period detail.

THORPE

Thorpe was mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Torpe’, so the name has changed little in 900 years, and the 12th Century church adds to the impression of a place which is aware of its own history. The Grade 1 Listed Building, Great Fosters, now a leading hotel, stands on the site of a Tudor hunting lodge which was constructed by a courtier of Elizabeth I. Thorpe Place, currently the home of The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), was for many years the residence of the Lord of the Manor. The core of the current building dates from 1801, but earlier manor houses had stood in the grounds since at least the 12th Century, and the existing barn and stable complex date back to 1650.

By way of contrast Thorpe is also the home of the distinctly modern Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s premier visitor attractions. The famous theme park, which attracts over 1 million visitors a year, offers a fun packed day out for the young and young at heart.

VIRGINIA WATER

The Borough is fortunate in containing a portion of Windsor Great Park. The Virginia Water Lake was originally laid out in 1746 by the Duke of Cumberland. Adjacent features include a 100ft high Canadian Totem Pole and a collection of Roman ruins brought to the site from Leptis Magna near Tripoli in present day Libya in 1826. The tourist or local resident with time on his hands will find himself drawn into the Great Park and will be able to walk some 5 miles right up to the hill overlooking the Royal Palace of Windsor. The 35 acres of Savill Garden, situated on the eastern boundary of the Great Park, contain an outstanding collection of flowers, trees and shrubs.

The residential part of Virginia Water extends from the Park to the railway station, which is also the location of a well-appointed shopping parade. The highly exclusive Wentworth Estate, home of media and sports stars, is in Virginia Water as is the world famous Wentworth Golf Course. Virginia Water is a varied, fascinating place that is well worth taking time to explore.