The name comes from the bridge on the highway to Chertsey, of which
there is evidence as early as 1235. Weybridge, part of the Manor
of Byfleet, was of small importance during the Middle Ages and,
even as late as the 16th century, the inhabitants asked to be excused
from conveying the royal baggage as they only had one cart!
The royal baggage in question was that intended for Oatlands Palace,
constructed in 1537 by Henry VIII. The palace was demolished around
1650 and many of the bricks were used to build the lock walls on
the Wey Navigation. This was one of the earliest canalised rivers
in England.
In the late 1670's, another great house was built by the Duke of
Norfolk to the design of the celebrated architect, William
Talman. It later came into the possession of Catherine Sedley, Countess
of Dorchester, whose husband, the Earl of Portmore, gave it his
name. The Third Earl let the house fall into ruin and all that remains
now is a pair of gate piers at the end of Portmore Park Road. Nearby,
Monument Green is a tiny grassy triangle at the east end of the
HIgh Street, named after the tall stone column that commemorates
the Duchess of York who died in 1820. Adjacent to the Green is The
Ship Inn, which still maintains its late 17th century facade.
During the eighteenth century, Weybridge had many famous residents:-
The Earl of Torrington at Oatlands Park, Admiral Sir Thomas Hopson
(the hero of Vigo Bay), the Hon. George Clinton at Clinton House
(now part of St. Maur), Sir Thomas Riggs Popham, the inventor of
the Naval semaphore, John Austin, author, Fanny Kemble, actress
and Mrs. Gwyn and Mrs. Bunbury (Goldsmith's 'Jessamy Bridge' and
'Little Comedy').
In 1800 Enclosure Acts were passed for Walton & Weybrige. The main beneficiary in Weybridge being
the Duke of York who greatly enlarged his Oatlands estate. In 1838,
the first section of the London & Southampton Railway was opened
as far as Woking and this began the transformation of Weybridge from
a quiet rural backwater. Many villas belonging to wealthy city men
were soon lining the slopes above Broadwater in Oatlands and those
of St. George's Hill.
Behind the Roman Catholic Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Heath
Road is the original chapel built in 1834/36 by James Taylor. A curious
building with a dome between four embattled turrets, it was used by
the exiled French King Louis Phillipe and his Queen who drove over
from Claremont, Esher. Later, it was to shelter their graves and those
of some of their Court, until the removal of the bodies to Dreux in
France. Only the tomb of the Duchess of Nemours now remains there.
In 1907, in the fields bordering the river Wey, Hugh Locke-King, the
owner of Brooklands House,built the first motor racing track in England.
Here, for thirty-two years, until its destruction in the Second World
War,
the most famous drivers in the world competed for victory.
Part of the track is still preserved and an interesting and thriving
museum of motor racing and aviation stands at the site, utilising
the restored Clubhouse.
The oldest air booking office in the world still survives and the
airfield, in the
centre of the race track, saw some of the earliest flights in England.
Vickers established an aircraft factory adjacent to the site which
was later taken over by British Aerospace, formerly the British Aircraft
Corporation. The factory built many legends including the 'Wellington
Bomber', the 'Dambusters' bomb and Concorde (which now can be
seen in Brooklands Museum).
Weybridge grew into a commuter town with
the advent of the fast train link into London Waterloo and a lot of
'new' houses have been built around the Oatlands Park and Broadwater
Lake area.
The estate at St. George's Hill still remains exclusive but the old
mansions have been replaced with large private residencies, one being
owned by Sir Cliff Richard, who is often seen around the Weybridge
area.
Behind the High Street, where the Library and
Elmbridge
Museum reside, is a large, well-maintained park.
If you're looking for a meal out, here are some suggestions of places
we can recommend.
In the centre
of town, if you fancy an Indian meal, try The
Hussain, in Church St., where they have specialised in authentic
Indian food since 1969. Mr. Suliman will give you a warm welcome.
Also in thecentre, if Chinese food is more to your taste, call in at The
Colony, in Balfour Rd., run by Reginald and his staff. Here
they specialise in Peking Cuisine.
A hop and a step (by car) from Addlestone, brings you to New Haw. Here you will
find The Raj Cuisine run
by
Mr. Miah. Look out for his Banquet Night.
Between New
Haw and Addlestone, there is a popular Italian Restaurant, the San
Rocco, run by, who else, Rocco.
What else can you do in Weybridge? ……………….Take
a look in at Elmbridge
Museum. It's in Church Street in the centre of town with plentiful
car parking right behind. Michael Rowe and his staff have built
up an excellent collection of displays and archive material.
Feeling too
tired, then try a complementary therapy at Walton
Therapy. See also our news section for more info
