The history of Townhill Park House

Townhill Park House, located in Southampton, Hampshire, is a Grade 2 listed building with a rich and varied history. Originally dating back to around 1790, it was once the residence of Lord and Lady Swaythling. The house underwent significant changes in 1911 when architect L. Rome Guthrie re-designed the building in an Italianate style. He also created the terraced gardens, collaborating with the renowned plantswoman Miss Gertrude Jekyll, whose planting designs left a lasting legacy.

Guthrie's contributions to the property continued after the First World War when he added a music room, paneled in polished walnut, and a boudoir for Lady Swaythling, where she would entertain guests. A notable feature of the gardens is the Boudoir Garden at the rear of the house, which became famous for its beauty. Queen Mary, a close friend of Lady Swaythling, often visited and enjoyed walking through the gardens.

The house's role shifted during the Second World War, when it was handed over to the Red Cross in 1939 and converted into a convalescent home for British and American soldiers. After the war, Middlesex County Council owned the property from 1948 until 1969, when it was repurposed as an education center for underprivileged children. From 1969 to 1984, Townhill Park House served as a training center for marine cadets.

In 1994, the house became home to The Gregg School, an independent senior day school that continues to thrive under the leadership of Mrs. S. Sellers. Today, Townhill Park House stands as a proud educational institution with a rich historical legacy, blending its architectural beauty and storied past with modern academic success.