Charlwood Park

[ceriloujo]

Hi,
I am trying to find out the history of this house. I believe it was demolished to make way for more room at gatwick airport.
If anyone knows anything about the date it was built, who lived there, anything really. I would loved to hear from you and would appreciate anything you can share with me.
Thanks,
Ceri

[erica lyn]

Hi Ceri,

Charlwood Park was in existence by 1881 when it was the home of Edward and Frances Habershom (Habersham?).  1881 census RG11 0801 51 8

1891 and 1901 census have a William Henry White living there.  This thread - www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,194456.0.html

A Herbert Musker was the owner in 1911 (according to British History Online) and in 1931 the house was sold by auctioneers Smith, Son and Oakley, described as follows:

Charlwood Park, Horley
11 bedroom house with outbuildings, farm buildings, cottage, 2 bedroom cottage, 3 room cottage known as Keepers Cottage, land of 106 acres

As you say the whole site of Charlwood Park is now occupied by Gatwick Airport, building of which commenced in 1956.

This book might be useful to get hold of if your near Surrey Local History Centre 'Lowfield Heath Remembered -Jean Shelley'.  It covers the area demolished to make way for the airport.

Regards,
Claire

[ceriloujo]

Hello Claire,

Thankyou for taking the time to give me them details. That's great and something for me to go on.

I did manage to find the sale particulars you mentioned and have emailed Surrey history centre to see if I could buy copies as I don't live anywhere near Surrey - I live in the wilds of Wales.

Such a shame it was demolished and I would love to read the book you suggested, but unfortunately there's no chance of me getting down there to see it. Maybe I could buy it somewhere?.
I will do a search for it.
Thanks again I appreciate it. 
Kerrie

[erica lyn]

Hi again Kerrie,

I can make Charlwood Park a bit older for you - it appears on the 1841 census with the occupiers being Michael Clayton 45 Attorny N(ot born in county) and his wife Eliza 40 N.  They appear to have no children but a number of male and female servants.

Looking at maps from planning records for Gatwick airport, the name Charlwood Park appears on a map from 1970, albeit very close to the airport boundary, the house could have possibly survived until either the 1970 or 1973 enlargement.

Regards,
Claire

[erica lyn]

I also have Charlwood Park on the 1851 census, but this is a bit confusing.  The reference I have is HO 107/1599/2.  It shows Charlwood Park Lodge and Charlwood Park Garden House normally, then inbetween is Charlwood Park Mansion, this is only one line and no names are listed.  There is something written above the word 'mansion' but I can't make it out, if someone could help?

[lizdb]

Sadly it looks as if this is what is now where Charlwood Park Farm was:

http://www.parkbcp.co.uk/gatwick/holiday-parking.html

I remember going on walks around Charlwood in the 1960/70's ( I lived at Horley then) when it was still a village and had not been eaten up by the expansion of the airport later in the 1970/80's.

[ceriloujo]

Thankyou for your replies, I didn't think Charlwood park went back as early as 1841, that was a surprise.
Do you know where I might look to find the actual date it was demolished?
I know it was there in 1975/76 because I lived there, but I will check the dates with my mother as I was very young (born 1973)
I have a lot of recurring memories of this house and that is why I have an interest in researching the house
It such a shame that listed buildings can just be demolished because of influence and money.

I also have a photo in my possession of a family that I believe lived there, looks like a wedding photo, so if anybody is related to any of the names mentioned and has any photo's of them
get in touch, if they match any of the people in the photo I will pass it on to you.
Thanks again,
Ceri

[pdadme]

Hi
I just happened to google Charlwood Park and came across this thread.
My Great grandfather (George Massey Saunders) was a gardener at Charlwood park from c1870 to c1902 when he moved to Bushey, Herts.
His address in 1891 is "Gardener's cottage", Charlwood Park.
His father (John Saunders) was the Head gardener there before him.
I know that somewhere there was a photo of him with a shotgun outside a big house. My parents told me he used to be the Head gardener at a big park, but until a few years ago when I started researching the tree I did not know where it was. Sadly I do not know if the photo still exists or not.
If I ever find it I will post it.
Any other info about the place would be most welcome here as well!

Regards
Phil How

[BuddysMummy]

If anyone has a map with the site of Charlwood house on it I would love to take a look.

I lived in Farmfield Cottages (part of what was then Farmfield Hospital) in 1959-1962 ish. I see from Google Earth that the hospital is now a Priory Clinic and the cottages have gone, but I remember a large house on the other side of the road, and recall walking about in there a few times, I wonder if that was Charlwood house?