History of the House

Summer 2019 History of the House Danesfield House that we see today was completed in 1901 as a family home for Robert William Hudson. The house is the third property to have been built within this glorious setting, amidst 65 acres of formal gardens with outstanding views over the River Thames and the Chiltern Hills beyond. Robert Hudson had inherited his fortune from his father Robert Spear Hudson, the Victorian soap magnate, and manufacturers of “Sunlight” soap. His first determination was to rebuild the property and employed to assist the build in the style of the Italian Renaissance was Romaine Walker, FRIBA. The house was finished with such disregard of expense that it became an architectural show place, faced with locally quarried rock chalk with imposing terraced gardens overlooking the river. Originally some 4,000 years ago, the site was reputed to have been a resting place of nomadic tribes who paused to hunt nearby land and fish in the then untamed river. If you stand on the crest of the bank between the present house and the river and look west there is a steep ravine directly in front of you which is the remnant of the ramparts of a prehistoric fortification. Because of the ample game and the discovery of flint within the chalk based cliffs, the site became a settlement throughout the ages and although not named “Danesfield” until many years later, this name originated from the Danish adventurers who made an encampment here. The next recollection of the estate is the transfer of land ownership in 1664 to an Edmund and Margaret Medlycott, they built what is assumed to be the first property on the site, known at that time as “Medlycotts” and there they lived with son James for over 60 years. Very little is known about the family and their name seldom occurs in any local record. 2 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSummer 2019 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSummer 2019 3 THE SECOND WORLD WAR Meet Alex Robertson, As war proceeded Danesfield was requisitioned as a base to develop the intelligence Section of the Royal Air Force (Reconnaissance and Photography Section), Mr Garton the New GM moved to Kingswood (1941) and Colet Court School departed. Wooden structures appeared like mushrooms scattered over the landscape. An agreement to rehabilitate the property when war ceased seemed likely to cost more than the place was worth. Danesfield was therefore purchased by the Air Ministry in 1948 and was made Divisional Head Quarters for No. 90 Group (Signals). During this time the RAF residents formed a club called the Hell Fire Club (named after the notorious Hell Fire Club of Medmenham), whose members one night piled up all the tables and chairs in the grand hall and left a footprint on the ceiling! The RAF used the “clocktower” side of the house for Officers’ accommodation with the Grand Banqueting Hall, offering what must been the most luxurious Officers’ Mess in the Like so many of my colleagues past and present I didn’t really country. The Commanding Officer and his family also lived go into hospitality with the intention of pursuing a career. in the house, although at the opposite end to that of the My first job was as a part time waiter in the restaurant of a Officers. Much of the house was as it is today, with the bar small coaching inn while I was still at school. Before long the located in a similar position to the one the RAF residents combination of the camaraderie of the team, the buzz of would have utilised. However the door, which offered the a busy night and the opportunity to make sure people had In 1725 James Medlycott, or his executors, rented “Medlycotts” to came principally for shooting and was eventually sold in 1897 Commander his own personal access to the bar, no longer a great time persuaded me that it was an industry that I a Mrs Morton, whose son John was to be the creator of the first to Mr Robert William Hudson who upon completion of the new exists. The property remained in the hands of the RAF until could see a future for myself in. Danesfield House. John Morton purchased the estate freehold in mansion in 1901 demolished the old house and chapel. Robert 1977 when it was sold to Carnation Foods to be used as their 1750 completely rebuilding the house and naming it Danesfield. William Hudson’s work was scarcely completed when he decided Corporate Headquarters. On the back of a bit of research and some good advice I At this time John Morton was a Barrister appointed as Attorney to sell. decided to move to Switzerland to train more formally at a General to Queen Charlotte, he was also a contemporary in Danesfield opened on the 1st July 1991 as a luxury Country time when there were not many opportunities to do so in the Following Hudson’s sale of the house it was then owned for a Parliament of William Pitt, as MP for Abingdon (1747–70), New House Hotel with a charm and character that cannot be UK, something which has thankfully changed dramatically short time by a property speculator, Mr Hossack who passed it Romney (1770–74) and Wigan (1775). The estate was not as large compared. It is a property with a most unusual history and since then. This in turn opened the doors for me to complete on a couple of years later to Mrs Arthur Hornby Lewis, who made as it is now until John Morton later purchased land surrounding when walking around the grounds it is easy to imagine management training at the Four Seasons, London and to many changes to the interior of the building and the layout of the property. After his death, his widow continued to live at the strange events that must have taken place over the being my career in earnest. the gardens. Mrs Hornby Lewis died in 1930 and because she Danesfield for some years, but eventually sold the estate in 1787 centuries. was so attached to Danesfield made the request to be buried Since then I have been fortunate to work in some fantastic because of financial difficulties. in the grounds, this wish was observed. When her trustees found properties and under some inspirational managers. The new owner was Robert Scott-Murray of Wimpole Street, it difficult to dispose of the estate with the deceased owner Thankfully there have been many more highs than lows London, the heir to a fortune made in the world of commerce. still resident, permission was sought to transfer the coffin to along the way including being part of the team that He rebuilt the house erecting a roomy building of the classical Hambleden cemetery in 1938. opened the Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park and a stint Georgian type, which remained standing for more than a century. as Hotel Manager at Exclusive Hotels’ Lainston House. From The settled property of Mrs Hornby Lewis was left to a grand Robert Scott–Murray died in 1808 and is buried at Medmenham. a personal perspective I was also honoured to receive an niece Elizabeth Whitelaw, then a schoolgirl of about sixteen, The property remained with his descendants – most notably his Acorn Award in 2014 and be selected as a St. Julian Scholar when she attained her twenty-fifth birthday. A period of financial nephew, Charles Robert Scott-Murray, whose conversion to the by the Master Innholders in 2016. depression led the trustees to seek permission to sell the estate. Catholic faith in 1845 saw the erection of a Roman Catholic It passed to Mr Stanley Garton, who made preparations to I feel privileged to have the opportunity to take up the Church at Marlow and subsequently, a domestic Chapel at take up residence, renovating the house and improving the position of General Manager at Danesfield House Hotel and Danesfield. It was Charles who diverted the Marlow Road away amenities. They had hardly settled in before war clouds began Spa. Such an imposing building set within such beautiful from the river to its present route and constructed the footbridge to gather. When trouble was imminent Colet Court School was grounds makes the ideal setting for a luxury hotel which over the Henley Road that can be seen today. He died in August evacuated from Hammersmith to Danesfield with an influx of combined with its rich history makes it truly unique. I look 1882 and was buried in the founder’s tomb of the Church he had approximately 80 boys. forward to working with the team to write the next chapter built in Marlow and the estate was passed to his son. A period in the story of this magnificent hotel and to continue to of agricultural depression had set in and the value of land was provide our guests with fantastic service and an idyllic on the wane. The house was let to successive tenants, who countryside retreat. 4 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSummer 2019 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSummer 2019 5 THE GARDENS WHAT’S ON An impressive tree lined drive of Hornbeams under the Clock Tower is the first display of the magnitude of the 65 acres of parkland and formal gardens surrounding the house. The gardens have been restored and The National Garden Scheme Open Day renovated from the middle of 1989 until the present day, a variety of Danesfield House Hotel, with its glorious gardens, has been a proud member of beautifully tendered and most unusual plantings now flourish and can be the National Garden Scheme since 1927; we are delighted to open the gardens found.

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