History of Grayshott
Grayshott's existence was first recorded in the Domesday Book as a small hamlet, within the Headley Parish and part of the manor of Bishop's Sutton. Earliest dwellings are believed to be squatters cottages (or broomsquires cottages - makers of twig brushes) in Stoney Bottom and Whitmore Vale.
Wakeners Wells (now known as Waggoners Wells) was created in the 17th Century by the Hooke family of Bramshott. Sites of some original farms are Grayshott Farm (now Grayshott Hall), and Bull's Toft (now the Old Farmhouse in Headley Road) being examples. Land in the area was generally of poor quality, hence the small population and reputed lawlessness of the few residents.
The whole future of Grayshott, changed however with the arrival of the railway at nearby Haslemere in 1859. The majority of the present Village lies within the land sold under the Enclosures Act in 1851. The clean air and height of the area rapidly gained it the nickname of "Little Switzerland", and saw the move of many prominent Victorians to the area (including Alfred, Lord Tennyson; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: George Bernard Shaw and Flora Thompson).
The Village expanded to meet the needs of the new residents, several of whom ( principally the I'Ansons, Miss James, Lydons, Vertues and Whitakers) also generously funded a number of amenities. Examples of the growth of the Village are :-
- 1871 Village Primary School opened, on land donated by Mr I'Anson.
- 1872 Estimated population of the village, 100.
- 1889 The Iron Room (or Institute) erected in Stoney Bottom.
- 1891 Iron Church built on current site of St Luke's,(these "Iron" buildings were made of a steel frame covered in corrugated iron).
- 1894 Dr Arnold Lyndon sets up first medical practice at "Windwhistle".
- 1898 foundation stone laid for current church, Grayshott District Magazine first published, and Working Men's Club now open 6 days a week (based in another Iron building in Headley Road). PC Seaward becomes the first resident police constable.
- 1899 St. Luke's Church opened, Fox & Pelican opened, and Grayshott Band formed.
- 1901 census records 147 dwellings in Grayshott, Grayshott Hall Rifle Club formed, Wesleyan Chapel opened.
- 1902 Village Hall opened. Grayshott becomes a separate parish after 800 years within the parish of Headley.
- 1905 Serious outbreak of diphtheria in the Village.
- 1907 Village Fire Station opened, with Dr Ronald Gray invited to be the Chief Officer.
- 1910 Tower & spire added to St. Luke's Church. Coal & Clothing clubs established
- 1911 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church opened. Boy Scouts Grayshott patrol set up. Grayshott & Hindhead Nursing Association announce that a resident District Nurse is to be installed.
- 1913 Dr Lyndon & Mr Thomas presented land to the parish council for a village green.
- 1914 First World War starts, War hospital opened at The Convent (now demolished), the monthly Grayshott Magazine starts publishing a complete list of all those serving in the armed forces, this continues until November 1918.
- 1918 War ends, but a 'flu epidemic kills a large number of Canadian soldiers based in the area. Many are buried in St. Joseph's churchyard.
- 1921 War Memorial on Village Green dedicated in July.
- 1925 Founding of the Women's Institute.
- 1926 Installation of eight street lamps.
- 1927 sports field opened.
- 1932 British Legion branch opened, and war memorial moved to current location.
- 1939-1945 World War II. 87 evacuee children attend Grayshott School. General Montgomery establishes a rear HQ at Amesbury School.
- 1957 Electric street lights replaced the gas lamps.
- 1960 Mains drainage system at last installed for the Village.
- 1964 New Fire Station built on the old bowling green.
- 1970 Purpose built surgery opened in Boundary Road.
- 1971 Phillips House opened, providing 27 flatlets for elderly members of the community.
Further Reading
Grayshott - The story of a Hampshire Village - J H Smith 1978, revised by J O Smith and reprinted 2002. (ISBN 1-873855-38-9).
St. Luke's Church - The Dawn of a New Century. published by Grayshott Parochial Church Council 2000.
Hindhead - The Little Switzerland, Thomas Wright. Published 1898, second edition 1907.
Heatherley - Flora Thompson, reprinted and published by J O Smith 1999 (IBSN 873855-29-X) (a fictional account of her early life in Grayshott).