About Stanwell Village

Stanwell Village can be traced back to the 11th century where it was listed in the Doomsday Book (1086). The name Stanwell comes from the Anglo Saxon word for stony stream or spring. In 1086 the Parish was held by William Fitz Other Other (who later took the name of Windsor.) He was patriarch of the most famous of the Norman-Irish families, the Geraldines. His family was forced to hand over the estate to Henry VIII in 1543. The manorial Estates remained in Royal ownership until 1603 when they were granted to Thomas Knyvett who became Lord Knyvett in 1607.

St. Mary's Church which was built in the 1200's towers over the small village green which possesses a memorial commemorating those who lost their lives in both world wars. The houses around the village green were built during the 18th and 19th centuries and some of the pubs have been mentioned as far back as 1730.

There has almost certainly been a Manor House in Stanwell, we think located at Stanwell Place; many of the large houses, which are now listed buildings, have names such as Dunmore House (circa 1719), Brook Cottage (circa 1720), Cheyne Cottage (circa 1768), Selwood Place and of course Stanwell Place which was occupied by the Windsor Lords, most of whom seem to have lived in Stanwell at some time. Stanwell Place with its 22 acres was bought by Sir John Gibson in 1920 and sold to King Feisal of Iraq in 1948 and remained in his possession until his assassination in 1954. Sadly it was finally demolished and all that remains are the ornate gates commissioned by Sir John Gibbons in 1760 which have a now preservation order on them.

Famous Residents

Lord Knyvett: He was the Lord of the Manor and lived in Stanwell for most of his life. He was a Justice of the Peace for Westminster and he arrested Guy Fawkes and foiled the “gunpowder plot” in 1605. Lord and Lady Knyvett who both died in 1622 are laid to rest in an ornate marble tomb in St Mary’s Church. His legacy provided the foundation of a free school in Stanwell, The Lord Knyvett School was founded in 1624.

Sir John Gibson: He was Chairman of the famous engineering firm of Sir John Gibson & Sons. He designed the floating pre-fabricated harbour which enabled the troops to land on the Normandy beaches during the D-Day landings. The harbour depicted on his tombstone in Stanwell Cemetery in Town Lane.

King Feisal: First lived in Stanwell Place as a student Prince whilst studying at Harrow.

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