The wonderful Oakley Court on the banks of the Thames a piece
of water more specifically known as Water Oakley. The house was
originally built in the French Chateau style for Sir Richard Hall
Say in 1859 and was then sold to Lord Otho Fitzgerald in around
1880 only to changed hands again to John Lewis Phipps and in 1908.
Then
around1919, Mr Ernest Olivier bought the property and surrounding
land for a mere £27,000(although in 1919 I'm sure that was
a tidy sum). Mr Olivier was a character and is said to have frequently
entertained foreign diplomats. Indeed there is evidence to suggest
the Court was used during the last war as the English Headquarters
for the French Resistance. Mr Olivier died in 1965 and the empty
Oakley court became a studio for Southern Pictures. Many famous
film had scenes that were filmed here including: The Rocky Horror
Show, St Trinian, Dracula and Murder by Death
By
1979 it was decided that Oakley Court was to be converted into
a hotel with much restoration needed of the furniture and plaster
especially in the Drawing Room and Library. Two wings were added
to the main house which allowed for the 85 hotel bedrooms with
8 suites in the Mansion itself.
Finally
in
1981 the 2 years of renovation were complete at a cost of £5
million. Since then a third wing was added with an additional
21 bedrooms. The hotel also now has a Health and Fitness Club
consisting of a Swimming Pool, Beauty Treatment Room, Sauna, Steam
Room, Solarium, Gym, Spa Pool, Beauty Treatment Room and Tennis
Courts.
