The Grange

The Grange was built in 1657 by Marmaduke Rawdon, second son of Sir Marmaduke Rawdon of Rawdon House. The site had previously been occupied by an inn called The Cock, built before 1500. The Grange received water from the supply initially laid on to Rawdon House, and a plaque in the boundary wall commemorates that it continued to flow until disconnected in 1970. By 1725 The Grange was owned by Arabella Oxenden who made many alterations including adding an extension to the south and putting on the slate roof.

From the 1850s until 1905 The Grange was used as a boys’ preparatory school. One of its pupils was A J Balfour, who became Prime Minister in 1902. From 1905 The Grange was in private ownership until 1968. The grounds were sold for housing and retirement flats, and the house itself is now home to a children’s nursery.

Turn left into the footpath just beyond the end of The Grange boundary wall. The footpath leads into Taylors Avenue, where another part of The Grange boundary wall can be seen on the left. Turn left into Oxenden Drive and follow it to reach the large gates.