Botleys Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Botleys Mansion |
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Botleys Mansion
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| Location | Chertsey, Surrey |
| OS grid reference | TQ 02142 64884 |
| Built | 1760s |
| Architect | Kenton Couse |
| Architectural style(s) | Palladian |
| Owner | Bijou Wedding Venues |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Botleys Park Hospital | |
| Designated | 9 July 1972 |
| Reference no. | 1029181 |
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Botleys Mansion is a grand house in Chertsey, Surrey, England. It was built in the 1760s. The design was created by an architect named Kenton Couse.
This mansion stands on a site that once held a much older house. That older house was taken from Chertsey Abbey by Henry VIII. Today, parts of the land around the mansion are owned by hospitals and the local council.
For many years, the mansion itself was used as a hospital and later as a private care home. Now, a company that hosts weddings and events owns and uses the building. Botleys Mansion is also a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical site.
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The Story of Botleys Mansion
The exact early history of the Botleys Mansion site isn't fully clear. The house you see today was built in the 1760s. It replaced a much older manor house that stood there before. Over the years, the mansion changed owners many times.
From Manor to Hospital
In 1930, a group called the Metropolitan Asylums Board was closed down. Local councils then became responsible for caring for people with mental health conditions. Surrey County Council decided to build new facilities for patients. The mansion itself became a home for hospital staff.
From 1932, it was known as Botleys Park Hospital. This hospital specialized in helping patients with mental health conditions. The first part of the new hospital opened on June 24, 1939.
Soon after, in September 1939, many patients were moved to another location. This was so Botleys could take in wounded soldiers from World War II. During the war, the mansion was turned into a home for nurses.
In 1995, a big fire caused serious damage to the building. Within two years, most of the nurses' home had to close down.
How Botleys Mansion Looks
Botleys Mansion is a Grade II* listed building. This means it's considered a very important historical building. Only a small number of listed buildings are given this high rating.
The house was built using stone and follows a style called Palladian architecture. It's a simple design without extra wings. The stone used to build it came from quarries in Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The mansion is almost shaped like a cube. The estate around it used to be about two miles around, but now it's about one mile.
To enter the house, you walk up a double set of steps. These steps lead to an entrance hall with a marble floor. The ceiling of the entrance hall is supported by columns and decorative pillars.
Who Owned Botleys Mansion?
The ownership of Botleys Mansion has a long history. In 1319, it was possibly owned by John de Butteley or John Manory. Later, in 1505, it was given to Richard Merland, Thomas Pervoche, and Henry Wykes. Wykes eventually became the sole owner.
In 1541, Henry VIII bought the mansion. After Henry VIII, the mansion changed hands several times. In 1763, it was transferred to Joseph Mawbey. He was the person who rebuilt the house into the mansion we see today.
After Mawbey's death, the mansion was passed around again. In 1822, Robert Gosling bought it. The Gosling family lived there until 1931. That's when the London County Council bought the building for £30,000.
In 2010, a company called Bijou Wedding Venues bought and restored the mansion. Today, it is used to host weddings and other special events.
