Author Archives: hurdler46
Who was Sir James Esdaile?
Those familiar with Upminster’s history will know that Sir James Esdaile (c.1714 to 1793) was a major land-owner who was responsible for rebuilding many of Upminster’s largest residences and buildings including Gaynes, New Place, Harwood Hall and the Bell Inn. … Continue reading
Gaynes Park – perhaps Upminster’s least loved manor house
In contrast to Upminster Hall, which continues to be part of Upminster’s heritage and which was owned for over 200 years by the same family, the Branfills, the Gaynes Park estate and its manor house survive now only in name … Continue reading
New Place – lost jewel in Upminster’s crown
How strange that one of Upminster’s finest houses, Sir James Esdaile’s New Place built around 1775, fell into poor repair and was demolished in 1924, while the adjacent stable block survives to this day? And that after New Place was … Continue reading
Station Road, Upminster – about one hundred years ago
Have you looked at the photograph of Upminster’s Station Road at the top of each page on this site and wondered when it was taken? What clues are in the photo to help you pin down a date or range … Continue reading
Upminster’s amazing Holden dynasty
In August 2013 I visited William Rose Holden at his home overlooking Hove Park. We had been in email contact for several years but I hadn’t managed to meet him on his occasional visits to Upminster. William was not only … Continue reading
Welcome!
No doubt there are many who think it was a very easy matter to write a sort of preface to such a singular, insignificant, and unworthy book as this is, but as there has been certainly not a little trouble … Continue reading
Old Upminster 