Our outing to Quebec House and Titsey Place happened to fall on an unexpectedly sunny day. Twenty six members of the Society left Grayshott at 9a.m in the coach and arrived in the attractive town of Westerham, where Quebec House is located.
Originally built in the 1500s, and initially called Spiers House, it became the childhood home of General James Wolfe, eldest son to Edward and Henrietta Wolfe who moved there in 1726.
James followed his father’s footsteps into the army and received a commission at the age of 14. By the age of 22, he was a Lieutenant Colonel, battle hardened and in charge of his own regiment. He is principally remembered for his audacious and thankfully successful attack on Quebec City, by climbing the steep Promontory of Quebec and facing the French army under General Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham. Both men died in the battle. General James Wolfe was just 32 years old. Spiers House was renamed in Wolfe’s honour.
Split into three groups, we all enjoyed a well guided tour of the house, with the interesting exhibition and film on James’ life in the Coach House. For lunch, we found a surprisingly wide choice of pubs, cafès and restaurants as well as some very attractive clothes and shoe shops which spurred some of our group to go shopping.
Titsey Place was just a short 10mn drive away, and we drove up to the house, through the impressive grounds. Titsey Place, remains a family home and is one of the largest surviving historic estates in England owned by the Leveson Gower and Gresham families. It originated in the Tudor era, though the main building dates from 1775. We were treated to a fascinating guided tour of this beautiful house, with paintings by Caneletto, Joshua Reynolds, Peter Lely and others, along with beautiful furniture and china.
After our visit to the House, we enjoyed walking around the beautiful restored kitchen walled garden and the Jubilee Rose Garden in the very sunny warm weather. We followed this with tea and cake in their very well appointed tea room. We were back in Grayshott by 18.20. So thank you Wendy Allen for organising such an enjoyable day out in lovely weather!
Liz Beecheno