Events

President’s Day – Visit to Titsey Estate

25th September 2024, 10:00 - 16:30

 

 

President’s Day

Visit to Titsey Estate,

near Oxted, RH8

Wednesday 25 September 2024

10am – 4.30pm

 

Join our President, Chris Howard on this special day in the historic estate of Titsey, in the far east of the County.

During the day we will explore the ancient Pilgrim’s church of St Mary, meet the North Downs Way Manager, Peter Morris, lunch at Botley Farmhouse pub. In the afternoon we will explore the historic house and gardens of Titsey Place.

Titsey is one of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey and attracts over 20,000 visitors a year. It was successively the seat of the Gresham and Leveson-Gower families and is now preserved by a charitable trust for the nation.

The house has its origins in a 16th-century house, which was built by Sir John Gresham (1495–1556) on the site of a earlier dwelling. The mostly Tudor house was demolished and rebuilt in the 18th century, before being re-fronted in 1826. Finally, a tower was added in 1856.

The Walled Kitchen Garden was restored in 1996 as an illustration of Victorian horticultural techniques and is one of the best surviving of its kind. You will see an abundance of summer annual flowers, fruit and vegetables, ranging from tomatoes to gooseberries, kiwi and nectarines, being harvested, some of which find their way into the popular café, which you have the option to visit at the end of the tour.

Schedule for the Day:

The day will start with coffee in the ancient Grade I Listed church of St Mary’s, which has been visited for centuries by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral. The original building is lost in the mists of time. It has been claimed that an early inscription bore the date 1040 AD, but successive re-buildings have unfortunately removed almost all traces of the first Saxon structure. There will be a talk given by a local historian.

We will also have an opportunity to meet Pete Morris, the North Downs Way Manager who will give us an update on some of the projects taking place along this famous national long distance trail.

Lunch of your choice will be at the Titsey estate gourmet pub called the Botley Hill Farmhouse pub, where you can sample local beef produced on the estate and other local produce and ales, as the Titsey Brewery is also based on the estate.

In the afternoon we will be visiting the historic house and enjoy the Victorian walled garden, before an optional visit to the estate café.

This is a rare opportunity to get to know this surprising rural estate on the edge of the Kent border.

Refreshments upon arrival.

After booking you will be sent a menu. You will need to send this back to Kennethbare847@gmail.com asap but at least by Monday 16th September for our pub lunch – which will be at your own expense. Pay on the day.

Optional refreshments at café at your own expense.

This event is not suitable for those with mobility issues and is not designed for children.

Dogs are not permitted on this event.

Cost to Members: £25.00
Cost to Non-members: £28.00

The deadline for booking is 16 Septembert 2024.

Any enquiries please contact us at info@surreyhillssociety.org

By continuing and making a booking you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the Terms & Conditions specified in our Cancellation Policy and Responsibility Statement, both of which can be viewed by clicking here

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