Spring 2019 “Spring is when life’s alive in everything” Christina Rossetti 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 SpaSpring 2019 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSpring 2019 3 passed it on a couple of years later to Mrs Arthur Hornby Lewis, who made many changes to the interior of the building and the layout of the gardens. Mrs Hornby Lewis died in 1930 and because she was so attached to Danesfield made the request to be buried in the grounds, this wish was observed. When her trustees found it difficult to dispose of the estate with the deceased owner still resident, permission was sought to transfer the coffin to Hambleden cemetery in 1938. A period of financial depression led the trustees to seek permission to sell the estate. It passed to Mr Stanley Garton, who made preparations to take up residence, renovating the house and improving the The Gardens amenities. They had hardly settled in before war clouds began to gather. An impressive tree lined drive of Pulhamite artificial rock was the When trouble was imminent, Colet Hornbeams under the Clock Tower is invention of James Pulham of Court School was evacuated from the first display of the magnitude of Pulham and Sons founded c1830. Hammersmith to Danesfield with the 65 acres of parkland and formal Known for the construction of rock an influx of approximately 80 boys. gardens surrounding the house. gardens, follies and grottos, they also As war proceeded Danesfield was The gardens have been restored manufactured a wide range of garden requisitioned as a base to develop the and renovated from the middle of 1989 ornaments that can be found intelligence Section of the Royal Air until the present day, a variety at Danesfield, to include two fountains, Force (Reconnaissance and Photography of beautifully tendered and most stone walls and benches along unusual plantings now flourish and can with terracotta objects – two large In 1725 James Medlycott, or his The new owner was Robert Scott- can be seen today. He died in August Section) in 1941, Mr Garton moved to be found. Covering many parts of the terracotta urns can be seen in the executors, rented “Medlycotts” to a Murray of Wimpole Street, London, the 1882 and was buried in the founder’s Kingswood and Colet Court School houses exterior is a masterfully pruned house’s Grand Hall today. Pulham and Mrs Morton, whose son John was to be heir to a fortune made in the tomb of the Church he had built in departed. The property remained in the Wisteria, flowering in a purple cascade Sons’ work can also been found at the creator of the first Danesfield House. world of commerce. He rebuilt the Marlow and the estate was passed to his hands of the RAF until 1977 when it was during May and June. Buckingham Palace and Sandringham John Morton purchased the estate house erecting a roomy building of the son. A period of agricultural depression sold to Carnation Foods to be used as On walking out onto the terrace you House. freehold in 1750 completely rebuilding classical Georgian type, which remained had set in and the value of land was their Corporate Headquarters. will see formal gardens, consisting the house and naming it Danesfield. standing for more than a century. on the wane. The house was let to of towering Yew topiary and box A Corsican Pine is another one of the At this time John Morton was a Barrister Robert Scott–Murray died in 1808 and successive tenants, who came principally Danesfield House Hotel opened on the hedging filled with varieties of English more unique trees at Danesfield, more appointed as Attorney General to Queen is buried at Medmenham. The property for shooting and was eventually sold 1st July 1991 as a luxury country house and French Lavender, of which there commonly native to the Mediterranean Charlotte, he was also a contemporary in remained with his descendants – most in 1897 to Robert William Hudson who hotel with a charm and character that are five different varieties within the and southern Europe. Further into the Parliament of William Pitt, as MP notably his nephew, Charles Robert upon completion of the new mansion cannot be compared. It is a property grounds. Central to this formality is gardens enjoy the tranquillity of the for Abingdon (1747–70), New Romney Scott-Murray, whose conversion to the in 1901 demolished the old house and with a most unusual history and when a three tier fountain, a cherubim formal Italian garden, fine box topiary (1770–74) and Wigan (1775). The estate Catholic faith in 1845 saw the erection chapel. Robert William Hudson’s work walking around the grounds it is easy standing on an oyster shell tops this surrounds the Koi fishpond overlooked was not as large as it is now until John of a Roman Catholic Church at Marlow was scarcely completed when he to imagine the strange events that must magnificent centre piece. by two beautiful Acers. You may notice Morton later purchased land surrounding and subsequently, a domestic Chapel at decided to sell. have taken place over the centuries. a perfectly cut straight line in all of the the property. After his death, his widow Danesfield. It was Charles who diverted Walk past two original waterfalls Yew hedges; this is due to the local continued to live at Danesfield for some the Marlow Road away from the river to Following Hudson’s sale of the house it To find out more, please visit our to viewpoints overlooking the Muntjac and Fallow deer nibbling just years, but eventually sold the estate in its present route and constructed the was then owned for a short time by a website www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk and River Thames, the waterfalls were as high as they can reach. 1787 because of financial difficulties. footbridge over the Henley Road that property speculator, Mr Hossack who subscribe to our database to receive all the latest news and offers. created from Pulhamite rock. 4 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSpring 2019 Danesfield House Hotel and SpaSpring 2019 5 Valentine’s Valentine’s Weekend Stay “Love risks everything and asks for nothing” Rumi Available Friday 15th to Sunday 17th February inclusive. Fully embrace the romance of Valentine’s with an overnight stay. Check into luxurious Valentine’s Day Dinner accommodation then celebrate your arrival before dinner in our intimate Cocktail Bar Thursday 14th February with a signature Valentine’s cocktail. While here stroll through the romantic gardens and relax in the calm and tranquility of Spa Illuminata Danesfield House choosing from one Romance starts with spoiling your loved one this Valentine’s day: choose of our four 25-minute Spa treatments. from an exquisite menu created for two people in love in The Restaurant at Danesfield House. Start the evening with a glass of Pommery Champagne Included highlights: before being seated, includes a luxurious Spa gift for your loved one upon • One night accommodation departure. • Three-course dinner from our Daily Market menu • Full English breakfast £80.00 per person. Choose to stay the night from £280.00 per room • A welcome Signature Cocktail: Choose from a ‘George’ or ‘Amal’ based on two adults sharing a Classic Courtyard room. • Use of the Spa facilities from check in until check out • A 25-minute spa treatment – Choose from Decleor Tranquility Scalp Massage, Orange To book call 01628 891010 or email [email protected] Fruit Seed Body Scrub or Tired Feet Treatments. • Add flowers, chocolates and Champagne to your room – chargeable as requested upon booking. Menu Price starts from £285.00 per person per night, staying in one of our Courtyard Rooms. Beetroot, Blood Orange, Goat’s Cheese Subject to availability. Additional night £300.00 with complimentary dinner.