Visit to The Orchard and Hollybank in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
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Applications are now invited for our visit to The Orchard and Hollybank at Chorleywood in Hertfordshire, on Tuesday 24th June 2025.
The houses
The Orchard was designed by Voysey in 1900-01 for himself, and he lived there with his family until 1906. Pevsner's Hertfordshire (with Bridget Cherry, 1977) says that, "The garden front is especially characteristic, with two identical gables ... but a gentle, carefully balanced asymmetry in the centre. ... Inside, the hall with the staircase and fireplace is one of the best Voysey designed. The metalwork such as the door hinges are also in the daintiest Voysey fashion". It is listed Grade I.
Three doors away is Hollybank, which was designed in 1903-04 for Dr H.R.T. Fort, although nominally built for the Reverend Matthew Edmeads. Pevsner says that, "It is as good in most respects as The Orchard". It is listed Grade II.
We are visiting by courtesy of the owners of The Orchard, our members Catherine and Bill, and of Hollybank, Rachel and James.
Programme
The day will start with registration and refreshments from 11am onwards. All other times following the start are approximate.
- 11.00-11.30 : Arrive
- 11.30 : Welcome and introduction
- 11.40-13.15 : Split into two groups for tours of house and garden
- 13.15-14.00 : Lunch
- 14.00-14.15 : Move from The Orchard to Hollybank
- 14.20 : Introduction
- 14.30-16.10 : Split into two groups for tours of house and garden
- 16.10-16.45 : Tea, farewell and disperse
Charges
A charge of £20 per head will be made to members. We expect that this event will be very popular, and it is unlikely that we shall be able to accommodate non-members. If we are able to include non-members, the charge for them will be £25 per head.
All refreshments are included in the price.
Directions
The full address of The Orchard, where the day's programme starts, is Shire Lane (near its junction with Burfield Road) in Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Herts. The postcode is WD3 5NT. Hollybank is two minutes walk away in the same road.
We urge the use of public transport where possible. The Orchard is a twenty minute walk from Chorleywood Station, which serves both the Metropolitan Line of the London Underground system and Chiltern Railways on the National Rail network. Chiltern Railways runs trains from London Marylebone station through to Aylesbury.
There will be no parking on site for this event. There is a free car park in Lower Road (the Ferry car park), with 15 spaces, but it is limited to two hours only. There is a chargeable car park at the station with 241 spaces.
How to apply
This event is now fully booked, but we are maintaining a reserve list in case of cancellations. If you wish to be added to the reserve list, please complete our online application form.
The Orchard. There are more photographs and drawings in the Theuerkauf archive)
Hollybank (photograph by John Trotter). There are more photographs and drawings in the Theuerkauf archive)
Please note our photography guidelines. We shall assume that attendees consent to their own inclusion in photographs taken on the day unless they advise the group leader otherwise.
You participate in events at your own risk, and neither the Voysey Society nor its officers or other volunteers accept any liability whatsoever, however arising. The Society reserves the right to cancel, alter or postpone events if necessary. Before applying for an event, take into account any possible difficulty you may have because of weather, health or other conditions. In hot weather, consider bringing water and protection from the sun.
Page last amended 19th April 2025