“Student accommodation from 1946” echoes in the halls of Coombehurst House. Today, it is home to the School of Music, a vibrant part of Kingston Hill campus. Coombehurst House has seen many transformations. It stands as a testament to the area’s rich history.
Kingston Hill campus is only three miles from Kingston town center. It is very close to Richmond Park. The campus has a real community feel. Kingston Hill has everything you need. There is a bar, food store, restaurant, Subway and Starbucks. You can enjoy lovely green spaces between lectures. There is even a biodiversity pond and an outdoor fitness trail.
Coombe itself is a historic neighborhood. It sits on high ground east of Norbiton. Most of the area was once part of the Municipal Borough of Malden and Coombe.
Originally, Coombehurst House was part of a larger estate. Coombe House was built in the 1750s. The house was located at the southwest corner of Coombe Lane and Traps Lane. Its red brick boundary walls can still be seen on Traps Lane.
The area has a long history. Roman coins have been found around Warren Road. Coombe appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Cumbe. King John gave Coombe to Hugh de Nevill in 1215. It was known as Coombe Nevill by 1260.
Coombe’s springs once supplied water to Hampton Court Palace. Three Tudor-era structures were built for this purpose. Coombe Conduit, Ivy Conduit and Gallows Conduit formed this system.
In the early 1700s, the Fox and Coney pub was established. It was rebuilt in 1728 and renamed the George and Dragon. It operated as such until 1985.
Coombe Warren was a wild woodland used for hunting and public fairs. The Coombe Wood Highwayman, Jerry Abershaw, frequented the area. In 1822, the Admiralty opened a semaphore station in the Warren.
By 1911, two golf courses were in place. Large houses lined George Road. Numerous German bombs struck Coombe during World War II.
Today, Coombe is a prestigious residential location. Much of the area is occupied by golf courses. These are Coombe Wood and Coombe Hill.
Coombehurst House now stands as part of Kingston University. It is a center for learning and creativity. The School of Music thrives here.
The free university bus connects Kingston Hill with other campuses. It also connects to halls of residence, the town center and Kingston train station. This makes it easy to get around.
Coombehurst House is more than just a building. It’s a place where history and education meet. It is a vibrant part of the Kingston Hill campus community. Its walls hold stories of the past. They also resonate with the music of the future. Take a moment to appreciate the history and the sounds.