Onslow Village History

This page, or set of pages, is designed to provide a comprehensive account of the history of the village, from before its formation to the present day.

This is going to take time, and any contributions would be much appreciated, in terms of photos or other historical documents.

In the mean time, if you are interested in the village, a booklet entitled "The Story of Onslow Village" has been written by a well known local historian Helen Chapman Davies. It provides a fascinating account of the history of the village from 12th century when the area was within Guildford Park itself part of the Royal Forest of Windsor, up until 1988 when Onslow Village Ltd was dissolved.

The booklet is A5 sized with a green jacket. It is priced at £2, and is available from the Guildford Museum and the Guildford Tourist Information Centre. It is suggested that you check that they have stock before travelling to purchase a copy, as they can run out. There is another stockist within the village, though as I have not checked that they are happy for me to publish their address, I have not done so.

If you would like a copy, but cannot find one, then why not drop me a line. I do not stock them, and have no financial interest, but can point you in the right direction.

 

Before 1920

A brief history of Western Guildford and Guildford Park.

 

1920 to 1939

From the laying of the foundation stone to the outset of the second World War.

 

1918 - 646 acres of land sold by Lord Onslow at significantly less than market price.

1920 - First meeting of Onslow Village Limited (2nd March)

1920 - Foundation stone laid (1st May)

1920 - First houses ready for occupation (1st July)

1920 - 1922 - First shop (Stenning's Stores) built

1922 - Onslow Village Tennis Club formed

1923 - Sub post-office built.

1927 - Temporary church ("tin tabernacle") built from an old army hut

1933 - Land for The Astolat purchased by Friary, Holroyd and Healys.

 

1939 to 1945

The war years

1939 - Queen Eleanors School founded as a secondary school.

 

1945 to 1988

1956 - Onslow Village Residents Association formed

1957 - 5th Guildford Scouts formed (9th September)

1960's - Queen Eleanor's becomes a primary school.

1961 - The Astolat public house was opened.

1966 - Chairman informs committee of sale of Manor Farm land to Battersea College.

1967 - All Saints' Church consecrated (December)

1972 - Onslow Infant School built.

1977 - Jubilee Garden built

1984 - Scout Hut opened (4th September).

1988 - Onslow Village Limited wound up.

 

1988 to present

The last 20 years

1990 - Onslow Arboretum designated a conservation area (7th February)

1993 - Queen Eleanors School achieved current status.

1988 - Onslow Village Limited dissolved

1990 - Original Onslow Village Conservation area designated (7th February)

1995 - Onslow Arboretum planted

2001 - Post Office and Off Licence closed

2005 - Conservation area extended (November)

 

Onslow Village Residents Association

 

When was the Rec built

When was Onslow Infant School built

When was the Scout hut built.

When was the Village Hall built

When was the Church Hall built