Genealogy Australia

Esher was always aware of the wider world around it. Its social heyday was the century after 1750 which saw the influx of many notable people when Esher Place, the old manor house, was the home of former prime minister Henry Pelham and nearby Claremont the home of his brother, the Duke of Newcastle, who succeeded him in office. Claremont was built by Vanbrugh but was later demolished by Clive of India and re-built with Capability Brown as architect Queen Victoria spent many of her early days there. The ordinary people of both Esher and nearby Claygate also feature in this detailed history of both communities.