Greys Court facts for kids
Greys Court is a lovely old country house and gardens located in the southern Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire, England. It's near the town of Henley-on-Thames. This special place is now looked after by the National Trust, a charity that protects historic sites. Greys Court is open for everyone to visit and explore.
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Discovering Greys Court
Greys Court was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. Back then, it was known as Redrefield. It was the main home of a Norman knight named Anchetil de Greye. His family, the Grey family, became very important in English history.
The house you see today is mostly built in the Tudor style. It has a charming courtyard and beautiful gardens. Inside the walled garden, you'll find old-fashioned roses and lovely wisteria plants. There's also a special garden for vegetables and a fun maze made of grass with brick paths. You can also spot an old ice house and a Tudor wheelhouse on the grounds.
One of the oldest parts of Greys Court is a fortified tower. It was built around 1347 and is all that's left of the original medieval castle. This tower offers great views of the gardens and the countryside around it.
The house still feels like a family home inside. It has amazing plasterwork from the 1700s. Greys Court is considered a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic site.
The History of Greys Court
The story of Greys Court goes back many centuries. In 1346, John de Grey, 1st Baron Grey de Rotherfield, who was one of the first Knights of the Garter, was allowed to build defenses for his home. He made the buildings much bigger and added a castle around 1347.
In 1485, the property became owned by the Crown. Then, in 1514, it was given to Robert Knollys. His family lived there until 1642. During their time, they built the house and other buildings that we see today.
Later, in 1686, Sir William Paul bought the house. It then passed to Sir William Stapleton, 4th Baronet in 1724 through his marriage.
From 1935 to 1937, Evelyn Fleming lived at Greys Court. She was the mother of the famous author Ian Fleming, who wrote the James Bond books.
In 1937, Sir Felix Brunner and his wife, Lady Brunner, bought Greys Court from the Stapleton family. Lady Brunner was the granddaughter of a famous Victorian actor, Sir Henry Irving. In 1969, the Brunner family generously gave the property to the National Trust. Lady Brunner continued to live there until she passed away in 2003.
Greys Court as a Filming Location
Greys Court has been a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows. You might have seen it in episodes of Downton Abbey, Agatha Christie's Poirot, and Midsomer Murders.
See also
- House of Grey
- Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
- Nuffield Place, another nearby National Trust property
