From Thursley Parish Magazine September 2019
This article was written by Rosemary Stockdale with material from Thursley History Society archives (including an article by D.Q Watson), Lutyens Trust, of which Thursley History Society are members, and Godalming Museum.
This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), one of Britain’s most celebrated architects. He is renowned for the houses he designed at the turn of the 20th century, for his work in New Delhi on the Viceroy’s House and after WW1 for his creation, as one of three architects appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission, of many monuments to commemorate the dead including the Whitehall Cenotaph.
Not so much is known about his long connection with Thursley. Contrary to some local beliefs Lutyens was not born here, but in Onslow Square, London, where his parents were living, in March 1869, their 10th child.
His association with Thursley began some seven years later, in 1876, when his father, Charles Lutyens, leased ‘The Cottage’, owned by the Knowles family – now known as Street House. Edwin, known as Ned, was quite a sickly boy and was not allowed to go to boarding school, so shared his sisters governesses and supplemented his education by meandering through the Surrey countryside on a bicycle looking at old buildings and comparing them with new ones going up. It is rumoured that he carried with him a slither of soap and a pane of glass so that he could draw the outline of any building he found of interest.
His association with Thursley began some seven years later, in 1876, when his father, Charles Lutyens, leased ‘The Cottage’, owned by the Knowles family – now known as Street House. Edwin, known as Ned, was quite a sickly boy and was not allowed to go to boarding school, so shared his sisters governesses and supplemented his education by meandering through the Surrey countryside on a bicycle looking at old buildings and comparing them with new ones going up. It is rumoured that he carried with him a slither of soap and a pane of glass so that he could draw the outline of any building he found of interest.
He also spent hours in a carpenter’s shop owned by ‘Old Tickner’ of Milford watching and questioning his craft. It became obvious from these early years in and around Thursley that architecture would be his profession! Hence in 1887 he started his apprentice in London with Ernest George, whilst at night he would work on his own Designs.
He still visited his parents in Thursley at weekends and during one such visit he interested Edmund Gray, living in The Corner to commission ‘Ned’ to design an extension – a Drawing Room and two bedrooms above it.
This extension (opposite) has features typical of his architectural style – rounded arch next to the added chimney, wide sweeps of hanging tiles and distinctive chimney tops. Gray was obviously pleased as a further extension was commissioned in 1895, a morning room to the south with a bedroom above.
Lutyens only other commission in Thursley was what is currently called Prospect Cottage. His original commission was to design a working men’s club. The Parish Register states ‘ the site for the institute was given by Captain H Rushbrooke, the architect was Mr E. L. Lutyens, the builder Mr W. K Fosberry. The building was formally opened and given to the Parish Council on February 11th 1901’. The institute comprised a reading room, a billiards and games room and accommodation for a caretaker.
It was during Lutyens regular visits to Thursley that he met Gertrude Jekyll in 1889. The owners of Milford House (Robert and Barbara Webb) befriended the then shy architect and introduced ‘Ned’ to Gertrude. Their work together, as a result of this introduction, is extremely well chronicled with over 100 plans, Lutyens designing the houses and Jeckyll the gardens, although there is no known collaboration between them in Thursley. Lutyens became a ‘protégé’ of Barbara Webb who introduced him to society and also to Emily Lytton who he married in August 1897.
Emily’s mother Lady Lytton was a lady in waiting to Queen Victoria and as Lutyens put in a letter, Feb 3 1897, to Mrs Streatfield (Fulbrook, Elstead) announcing his engagement ‘I was dying to tell you the other day but was not allowed as Lady Lytton said she had to tell the Queen …..This part of it is too funny ….and … a dreadful bore. Because you aren’t well I will draw you a picture, but please tear it up’. This delightful illustration reflects his strong sense of humour.
Lutyens Local Country Houses
Many of Lutyens more famous houses are in the Thursley neighbourhood including Fulbrook (1896-99) Elstead, Munstead Wood (1896) and Tighbourne Court, Witley (1899).
Lutyens Sketch Books and his Sketches for Fulbrook (1896)
Lutyens original sketchbook for Fulbrook is housed now at Godalming Museum. Detailed drawings for the house can be found on the various pages within the book. The drawing opposite also shows Lutyens lighter side with the additional illustration of the man with dog and gun.
Lutyens Letters
Lutyens, also, wrote very detailed letters to his clients often including drawings to highlight the design ideas he was discussing with them. All illustrating his extraordinary talent.
