Kempton Park, Surrey History of a Royal Manor and Racecourse

Kempton Park, located in the Spelthorne district of Surrey, is today primarily known as the land owned by the Jockey Club, encompassing the Kempton Park Racecourse and the Kempton Park nature reserve. However, its history stretches back to the medieval period, when it served as a royal manor and private parkland.

The Origins of Kempton

The area first appears in the Middlesex Domesday Map as Chenetone, later evolving into variants such as Chennestone and Kenyngton. The estate was a wooded demesne, and the first Kempton Park was officially enclosed by royal licence in 1246. Historically, it was a smaller manor compared to that of Sunbury, within whose parish the entire estate is located.

The Royal Park and Game Management

The park's development was closely tied to the monarchy. In 1246, a "spinney" was enclosed as a park, and the following year it was stocked with 24 deer from Havering-atte-Bower. Over the following centuries, the park expanded and was used for breeding horses and rearing deer. By 1270, 24 acres in Hanworth were added to the park, and by 1276, 100 more deer were introduced.

Henry VIII significantly enlarged the park by 150 acres in the 16th century and ordered the replenishment of deer stocks in 1538. For a period, the Crown leased the park and manor together. In 1631, the freehold reversion was granted to Robert Killigrew, with a proviso that 300 deer be maintained for royal enjoyment—a requirement that was eventually discharged in 1665 under Charles II.

The Manor House and Royal Residence

The site of the medieval manor house is marked by traces of moats to the west and north of what became Kempton Park House. The first recorded royal visit was by Henry III in 1220, who visited frequently over the next two decades. The royal residence at Kempton featured a king's chamber, a queen's chamber, a chapel, an almonry, and a hall, all of which were mentioned in records from the 13th century. However, the manor house was likely demolished in 1374, when permission was granted to sell its timber and stone.

Transition to Modern Use

By the end of the 17th century, the estate comprised approximately 460 acres. In 1876, the estate was sold to a company that leased part of the land to an associated company to establish a racecourse. During the 20th century, the park served various roles, including use by the army during World War I and as a Prisoner of War Camp during World War II.

Today, while the manor has been developed into residential housing, reservoirs, and a museum, the core of the estate remains largely uninhabited, preserving the legacy of the royal parkland.

Nature and Wildlife

Early records indicate a focus on biodiversity and beyond deer, the park's early inhabitants included rabbits and fish. A fish pond was ordered in 1246 and stocked with pike, while bream were added in 1253.