Greywell House, Callow Hill

A Memory of Virginia Water.

My family lived in Greywell House from 1955 when I was 9 until about 1965/66. I attended Runnemede House School in Rusham Park Avenue in Egham for a few years then moved on to St Brigidine's Convent in Windsor. I would like to know if Greywell House still exists and if anyone has any memories of their own of the house, the grounds, which incorporated the gardener's cottage and the old stables which were converted into two lovely flats. I believe the gardener's cottage, which was then occupied by Captain Warwick (the first captain of the QE2) and his family, has been extended.

Greywell House was half of a large house, the other half being Greywell Court. It was a magnificent old house with beautiful fitted units, crystal door handles, handsome oak panelled drawing room with a huge fireplace. It was apparently built for the King of Siam as his English house but I don't know if that is true. It was the most wonderful place to spend my childhood with so much space, our own woodland and substantial garden although our half was the tradesman's entrance! The other half which at the time was owned by a Mr Bedford, and occasionally let out, was the grand main entrance with sweeping drive, rose garden, tennis court, pond surrounded by azaleas and rhododendrons

I would love to hear of any other memories from people who have lived there before or since and know what it is like now.

Wendy Graham

Contact Contributor

Added 10 March 2014

#307845

Comments & Feedback

Oh my goodness, a name I remember and it conjurs up a face but I was only 10 so it's 60 years ago. The face may not be the right one. My mother Joan Graham ran an old people's rest/convalescent home at Greywell House for a while and I believe Muriel Leeper helped her. Was she an Irish lady? I remember a very pleasant lady who was quietly spoken and she was either housekeeper or a nurse/carer or maybe just helped my mother with all that. I don't remember that she was with us for very long and unfortunately I can't recall anything else. I'm really sorry. Was she a relative of yours?

By Wendy Graham on Sat Jun 4th 2016, at 3:24 pm

Hi Katrina
It's removed.

By Wendy Graham on Mon Jun 27th 2016, at 7:42 am

Hi Wendy, I've found her and hope to meet her soon.

By katrina on Tue Jul 19th 2016, at 10:19 pm

I am delighted you have found her. I have been in a similar position. Hope all is good.

By Wendy Graham on Thu Jul 28th 2016, at 3:58 pm

Wendy. I lived in The Chalet in the grounds of Greywell Court & House 1950 - 1957. The Chalet was a wooden house on stilts down from the main house next to where the tennis courts had been.
About 5 years ago we went to look around... the main house has been renovated as one, and was owned by a French couple who have made a most beautiful job. We were shown around, I hate to think of the cost but it is truly magnificent. The house has returned to it's original name Hangmore. Where the Chalet stands is now a separate block but they are unable to get planning permission to live in it permanently or redevelop.
Hope you get to read this.

By emmans on Thu Feb 23rd 2017, at 4:18 am

Oh my goodness! I remember someone living in the chalet when we first moved there. I don't think I ever met that person (you!) and when you left I can't remember anyone else moving in and we used it as an extra play place! I did look up Hangmore (Callow Hill used to be Gallow Hill) a few years ago and saw that a French business couple owned it and couldn't believe that they had put in for planning permission for an extension! I wondered why they would need extra space. I would dearly love to see it again as I loved it so much and am so happy that the current owners have done a good job. I did think of contacting them direct. How did you get to look around and how did you feel having, presumably, not been back since?

By Wendy Graham on Thu Feb 23rd 2017, at 4:51 pm

Wendy if you would like to privately email me I can show you photo's and also more info.. ..
Emmans@iinet.net.au

By emmans on Fri Feb 24th 2017, at 5:08 am

Will do. Thanks.

By Wendy Graham on Fri Feb 24th 2017, at 11:29 am

Who had the large birds eggs collection,

By kimsunderland9 on Sat Aug 11th 2018, at 12:42 pm

My mother and father worked for MR and Mrs Mealboom, who had Greywell House

By kimsunderland9 on Sat Aug 11th 2018, at 12:48 pm

Please tell me more!

By Wendy Graham on Sun Aug 12th 2018, at 6:33 pm

You've given no dates

By Wendy Graham on Sun Aug 12th 2018, at 6:35 pm

You've given no dates

By Wendy Graham on Sun Aug 12th 2018, at 6:36 pm

This is an old post - I've just seen it - my family firm of Barton Wyatt in Virginia Water (real oldies may remember Gosling & Milner which my Grandfather bought in 1965) have had dealings with the chalet land for the Bedford Trust for years. As another poster says, the main house has been superbly put back into one property. I don't think the King of Siam built the house - but he is alleged to have lived there - and we occasionally still have visitors from Thailand asking for directions to the Kings old home! Captain Bill Warwick was a great character - and as mentioned lived in a cottage next door. The house was fitted top to bottom in cupboards, wardrobes and beds taken from the QE2 when it had a refit. Pretty dreadful actually.

By jw on Mon Nov 25th 2019, at 2:28 pm

please tell me more!

By Wendy Graham on Wed Dec 11th 2019, at 11:43 am

Hi Wendy, I can add much to this picture ... I lived in Greywell Court for a time in the 60’s. We were tenants of Mrs. Mealboom. We knew the Caltons, George and Pam, and their son Grant, who had moved into Greywell House aka Hangmoor, with their Sheepdog Tara. I went back to visit in 2008. The two halves had been recombined by Eric and Virginie Meurice. I know about the exiled abdicated King of Siam who lived their for a time with tigers). I remember Capt. Warwick’s wife. Email me at dki@me.com. All best wishes, Douglas Kurz, New York.

By dki on Thu May 28th 2020, at 10:38 pm

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