Where Is This? No.227

Published on: 21 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 21 Sep, 2016

By David Rose

Plenty of correct replies to last week’s mysteries. The vintage picture featured the White Horse pub in Shere and the quirky picture featured the artist GF Watts at what is now called Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, in Compton.

Extra details were supplied by readers, and Margaret Cole commented that the food at the White Hart is good – and I agree!

Click here to see last week’s post and all the replies, some with added information at the foot of it.

It which rather fine stately home was this First World War pictrure taken? Click to enlarge in a new window.

It which fine stately home was this First World War pictrure taken? Click to enlarge in a new window.

This week’s mystery vintage picture is a bit different from the usual ‘outside’ views. It shows a group of First World War soldiers who were convalescing inside a part of a very well known stately home not far from Guildford. Any more clues and I would probably give the location away. Do you know where this picture postcard view was taken?

Where is this then? Click to enlarge in a new window.

Here’s the quirky picture and again I am having to do quite a lot of searhing to find something new.

My daughter, Bryony, is currently learning to drive. So I am sitting with her on trips out about in the Guildford area as she gets to grips with the mechanics of the car and road conditions. We took a detour around an industrial park and I snapped this picture of a modern building with the large wording ‘Guildford’. Any ideas where this is and who occupies the building?

If you know the answers to this week’s mysteries, please leave a reply in the box below – and include extra details if you have them.

They will be published along with two more mystery images at about the same time next week. Good luck.

Responses to Where Is This? No.227

Dave Middleton Reply

September 22, 2016 at 6:20 pm

The stately home is Clandon House.

The quirky picture is of the Mercedes-Benz / AMG showroom on Moorfield Road at Slyfield.
John Lomas Reply

September 22, 2016 at 7:52 pm

I think the old photo is in Clandon Park, which was used as a hospital during the First World War.

I wonder if the nurse is Norah Ellender or one of the others whose autograph books were saved from the fire.

And I think the new picture is either the Audi or the Mercedes garage on Moorfield Road, Slyfield.
Chris Townsend Reply

September 26, 2016 at 6:36 pm

The postcard view is of a room at Clandon Park. More info’ on these webpages:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clandon-park/features/clandon-park-and-the-first-world-war

http://www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk/story/clandon-park-war-hospital/

My guess is that Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate would be a good place for a driving lesson; for practising hill starts, Pewley Hill and the Mount would be ideal, if father’s nerves can stand it.
Brian Holt Reply

September 26, 2016 at 9:29 pm

A picture of a ward at Clandon House. I have seen this picture dated 1916.

During the First World War Clandon Park was used as a military hospital. At the outbreak of thewar the then Count and Countess of Onslow wanted to play their role in the war effort.

Countess Violet suggested that Clandon House should be used as a war hospital By 1st October 1914, it was accepted as an auxiliary military hospital and a 100 beds were set up.

The house remained as a hospital until April 1919, as it was used to help to treat victims of Spanish flu, as well as having to treat battle injuries.

The last patients were discharged on 1st May 1919, and in total there were 5,059 admissions and 747 operations carried out there during the First World War.

Lady Onslow served as the hospital’s commandant, supported by a matron and three ward sisters.

This is Lexus of Guildford car showrooms, Moorfield Road, Slyfield (on the left at the roundabout outside the tip entrance).

You can see in the picture a window with jewellery, this is because the new models RX and RC at the showroom are in partnership with Preston the jewellers.
Margaret Cole Reply

September 27, 2016 at 9:29 am

The first picture shows the Marble Hall at Clandon Park in the First World War when it was used as a hospital.

Sadly this has been lost by fire but restoration is on the agenda.

The second picture – just a guess.The Mercedes Benz showroom at Slyfield. It’s a night time picture and I’m not out after seven to see the Guildford sign lit up!
Jackie Montague Reply

September 27, 2016 at 9:30 am

The picture was taken in the marbled front entrance of Clandon Park, which was sadly burned down.
Bill and Doug Stanniforth Reply

September 27, 2016 at 4:54 pm

Clandon Park is the vintage picture.

The quirky picture is probably a car dealership, possibly at Slyfield.

At first we did think it may be Guildford Speedboats HQ but soon realised the Dragon editor would have no idea where such a place would be.

PS: It’s a shame we never got to answer last week’s question as we are both huge fans of Charlie Watts Gallery.

[Ed: Isn’t he the drummer in the Strolling Bones?]