History & Awards

From Wikipedia: The earliest reference to Grayshott found by Jack Hayden Smith, a Grayshott inhabitant and local historian, is in Winchester Bishopric records as Gravesetta (1185) and Graveschete (1200). In 1533 it was called Graveshotte, and the named changed to its current spelling probably in the 18th century. The shott suffix in local names refers to springs flowing from the sandstone rock strata.

You can find extensive information on the history of Grayshott at the Grayshott Village Archive website.

You can find extensive information on the history of Grayshott at the Grayshott Heritage website.

Records show that there was a sparse settlement here from the 12th Century but it was not until the Victorian era 150 years or so ago that we see the emergence of a village.

St. Luke’s Church has passed its centenary, as have the Village Hall, the School, the Fox & Pelican and the laundry building (now Grayshott Pottery). These and many other amenities were created by the generosity of local landowners and have been well supported over the decades by the villagers.

The attractiveness of Grayshott has increased its popularity and has drawn residents, commerce and trade.

Until the railway arrived at nearby Haslemere in 1859, Grayshott, or ‘Graveshotte’ (signifying ‘a clearing in the woods’) was never more than a hamlet of small farms, broomsquires’ cottages and a haunt for notorious brigands. As recorded in the Domesday Book, Grayshott was within Headley Parish and part of the ‘Waste of the Manor’ of Sutton. Ownership was passed from King Stephen (1135 – 1154) to his brother Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester. Later, when that manor was divided, Grayshott became part of the Manor of Wishanger. ‘Wakeners Wells’ (now known as Waggoners Wells), was created in the 17th century by the Hooke family of Bramshott. Some traces of this early period remain in the broomsquires cottages of Stoney Bottom and Whitmore Vale, in the outlines of holding pens for livestock along the drovers’ road in Stoney Bottom and in dry sandstone walls and boundary banks. The sites of some original farms are known: for example Grayshott Farm and Bull’s Toft, now known as Grayshott Hall and The Old Farmhouse (Headley Road). Many of Grayshott’s footpaths and bridleways, so much a feature of the village, were established in those days.

The sale of land following the Acts of Enclosure of the 1850s defined the limits and shape of the village. Wealthy families were attracted to the area, which became known as ‘Little Switzerland’ due to the healthy air and beautiful scenery. Its accessibility from the railway at Haslemere established Grayshott as a working village and a holiday destination. Early residents included Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (See Undershaw below), George Bernard Shaw and Flora Thompson (author of ‘Lark Rise to Candleford’ and ‘Heatherley’). This period established the pattern of the village with the valued balance of residential and commercial premises at its core.

Grayshott is fortunate in retaining a number of Victorian shopfronts which add to the character of the village and this period gave the village some fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, many of which are included in the conservation area.

Grayshott was counted as part of Headley parish until 1901 (ecclesiastical parish) and 1902 (civil parish). It is now the basis of Grayshott civil parish, which is part of East Hampshire District.

St. Luke’s Church, which is a part of the Guildford diocese, and Grayshott Primary School; both of these trace their origins to the 19th century. The National School was founded in 1871 on land provided by the architect Edward I’Anson, who had moved to the village ten years earlier. His descendants maintained a close connection to the area, his son made funds available for the construction of the church; many of these are buried and memorialised in its churchyard.

There was a steady growth in the number of attractive smaller properties examples of which can be seen in the area of Grayshott School, such as Beechanger Cottages and Whitmore Hill Cottages.

The residential area of Grayshott was significantly enlarged by the Kingswood Firs and Waggoners Wells estates in the 1960s, with their own characteristics of low-density housing, wide verges, many trees and narrow roads.

If you would like to learn more about the various awards Grayshott has won, please see this section on the archive version of grayshott.com. The previous website can be found at “oldgrayshott.com“.