The Gregg School

In the early 20th century, Townhill Park, a 23-acre estate in Southampton, was home to the Jewish Montagu Samuel family, who became Lord Swaythling. Samuel Montagu founded the foreign exchange and banking firm Samuel Montagu and Co in 1853, which played a significant role in establishing London as the clearing house for the international money market. In 1910, the estate, including shooting and fishing rights, spanned over 1200 acres, extending to the River Itchen.

Today, the house is fully utilized as a private school, though many original interior features remain. We will have a historical tour guide and access to a heritage guide booklet to help us to imagine what each room was used for and what it looked like, providing a glimpse into the house’s original state despite its current use. The numerous rooms include the entrance Hall, Lady Swaything’s boudoir, the music room, Queen Mary’s bedroom and bathroom, the Chippendale bedroom, Lord and Lady Swaything’s bedroom, the nursery, the boy’s room, the smoking room, the garden room and the dining room. Many rich and famous people were entertained at the house, including Queen Mary and Princess Alice, Ambassadors and Members of Parliament.

The Friends of Townhill Park Gardens restored the Gertrude Jekyll Herbaceous Borders and Sunken Garden, which the school continues to maintain. Visitors can enjoy a walking along a well-maintained path round the garden and through the arboretum offering insights into the estate’s historical appearance. Other external buildings, such as the dairy, the coach house, and the stables, have all been elegantly converted for current school use. It’s fascinating to see how seamlessly these transformations have been accomplished.

Arrival to the school is scheduled for 1.30pm with a tour start time at 1.45pm , concluding the afternoon with some refreshments included in the tour price.

Access: Steps at the main entrance and stairs to the first floor of the house.

Address:  Townhill Park House, Cutbush Lane, Southampton, SO18 3RR

Parking : Free parking in the school grounds.

Travel:

• By car: The Gregg School (Townhill Park House) postcode is SO18 3RR and the Sat Nav will take you through the Atlantic Park View estate.
• By Train: Swaything and Southampton Airport Parkway are the nearest railway stations.

Booking  : To book for any of these events or have any questions, please either book on our website or email events@hampshirearchivestrust.co.uk or write by post to Maskee, Stoney Lane, Medstead, GU34 5EL. Please state your method of payment when booking. Cost £15

Bookings