Heritage Open Day

Heritage Open Day – Saturday 7 September 2024 from 11.30am – 16.00pm

Join us to unearth the royal, political and social history of Claremont mansion on a self-guided tour (no booking required) or pre-book 1 hour history tour. Tickets for the guided tour are limited and are registered on a first come, first serve basis. Admission and tours are all free. This event is being run as part of England’s largest festival of history and culture where hidden places open their doors for free to explore and histories are brought to life!

Claremont mansion was built by Capability Brown in 1774 for Robert Clive on the site of the former Vanbrugh House built in 1708 by Sir John Vanbrugh. A former royal residence, Claremont was home to the exiled last King and Queen of France, as well as Prince Leopold of Belgium and Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales. Claremont was also a favourite getaway for Queen Victoria and home for the Duke of Albany. After several private owners, Claremont mansion was taken over by Clearview School, changing its name to Claremont School in 1931. During World War II, the pupils were evacuated to Wales and the mansion was taken over by the Kingston based Hawker Aircraft Company, designers of the Hurricane aircraft, made famous during the Battle of Britain. Many Hurricane variants and other aircraft were designed in the rooms of the mansion.

Open for self-guided tours: 1130-1600.

Pre-booked Guided Tours: 1200 & 1400. Bookings for the guided tours open on Monday 3 June 2024 at 12pm. Please email alumni@claremont.surrey.sch.uk or ring 01372 473 647 to book a place on a tour. Tickets for the guided tour are limited to 20 people per tour and are registered on a first come, first serve basis. Only 4 tickets in total can be registered ie. for yourself and up to 3 guests. The tours can include children.

Car parking is found in the car park at our Portsmouth Road entrance. Please use KT10 9HZ as the postcode for your sat-nav. The route to the mansion from the car park will be sign posted. For those new to the Claremont Fan Court site, please note the gravel path to the mansion is on the right hand side of the top car park.