Templemere
Weybridge, Surrey
Architect: Eric Lyons
Register for similar homesThis three-bedroom house can be found on Templemere, a group of Modern houses designed by the architect Eric Lyons and built in the early 1960s in the former grounds of an historic country estate.
Templemere is one of the finest and best maintained of the Span estates – these are much-admired collections of houses across the South East designed by some of the country’s most renowned architects and built by Span Developments. All the estates, of which Templemere is a prime example, feature light-filled, spacious homes set in beautifully landscaped environments. The property comes with a garage in a separate block.
Templemere is well located between the town centres of Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge. Both towns have great appeal thanks to a combination of their good range of shops, parks, pubs, restaurants and schools, their excellent transport links and their outstanding settings. Indeed Elmbridge borough, in which these are two principal towns, is routinely listed as having the best quality of life in the UK in national surveys. Frequent rail services run from both Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge to London Waterloo in under 30 minutes. Templemere, which is located within the M25, is easily reached via the M3, A3 or M25.
The setting of Templemere is particularly impressive, with houses being laid out amongst 12 acres of landscaped gardens, open to residents access. Still bearing the echoes of its former existence as parkland landscaped in the 18th century by the celebrated designer William Kent, the estate still retains its own private stretch of river and woodlands. This wonderful setting is keenly appreciated by the residents of Templemere, who often organise summer parties, woodland days and other events.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
SPAN
The development company Span built 30 housing estates between 1948 and 1984. In his book The Spirit of Span Housing, James Strike says: “Span housing was the inspiration of two young men, who, during the 1930s, met as architectural students at the Regent Street Polytechnic. Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townsend both had a keen interest in modern architecture… They believed that there was a market for well-designed houses in carefully designed landscapes for the sort of people who recognised good design when they saw it – and they were right.”
In 2006, Span housing was the subject of an exhibition at the RIBA, and the accompanying book, entitled Eric Lyons & Span (ed Barbara Simms), gives a comprehensive survey of its history. “The work of the architect Eric Lyons,” it states, “is as well-loved now as it was vibrantly successful when first constructed. Built almost entirely for Span Developments, its mission was to provide an affordable environment ‘that gave people a lift’.”
TEMPLEMERE – A BRIEF HISTORY
Templemere stands on land which formed part of Oatlands Chase surrounding the Royal palace at Oatlands in Tudor times.
In 1669, when Queen Henriette, widow of Charles II died, the ruined palace and its land reverted to the Crown. It passed through several royal hands including the 7th Earl of Lincoln who built Oatlands House on the site (now the Oatlands Park Hotel).
In 1730, following the death of his father and elder brother, Henry Pelham-Clinton became the 9th Earl of Lincoln and, in 1768, became the 2nd Duke of Newcastle under Lyme.
The grounds were altered for the new Duke by landscape architect William Kent to include a circular temple above the original Broadwater lake, based on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli.
The Oatlands Estate was subsequently bought by the Duke of York, son of George III, but when he died later owners sold the land off in various lots. Large houses were built on each lot, on the ridge overlooking the Broadwater, each with extensive grounds. The 19th century Templemere house incorporated the Temple of Vesta.
The house and the temple were still intact in 1928, when it came up for auction by Hamptons and Sons and some time later, the whole of the current Templemere estate came into the ownership of Donald Wilson and later Robert and Ruby Wilson. In March 1961 they sold it to SRL Investments Ltd, who through Span Developments created the present estate.
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