Oatlands

Map of Oatlands Village

Oatlands is a district in Surrey near Weybridge, which in Tudor and Stuart times was the location of a royal palace.

History

Henry VIII acquired the house in 1538, and rebuilt it for Anne of Cleves. It subsequently became the residence, at various times, of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I, who was later imprisoned here by the army in 1647.

A new house was built in the mid 19th century when the existing house pulled down. The house became a hotel in 1856. During World War I (otherwise known as The Great War) the hotel was used to house injured ANZAC troops. Subsequently one of the main streets in Walton-on-Thames was renamed to [New Zealand Avenue] in honour of these men.

The [Oatlands Park Hotel] now occupies the site where the royal palace once stood. The hotel is rated 4 stars by the AA and 4 diamonds by the RAC.

For a short period of time the area to the south of Oatlands was known as 'America' as it was over-run with Rhododendron bushes and was likened to the wilderness of the American frontier.

The Parish of Oatlands is served by the Anglican church St Mary Oatlands. Originally a chapel built in 1863 the Parish church was ordained in 1867 when the Parish of St Mary Walton in Walton-on-Thames was divided to reflect the increase in population owing to local industrialisation. The last Vicar, Malcolm Anker, retired in May 2005 and the church is in a period of interregnum whilst seeking a new Vicar.

The district of Oatlands contains an Iron Age burial ground, believed to be in the vicinity of St Mary Oatlands church.

For other places called Oatlands, see Oatlands (disambiguation).

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