Elm Grove House
Audio guide to this location
Audio Transcript
You are standing in front of Elm Grove House, a beautiful Grade II listed building with one of the most remarkable stories on the Walton Trail.
During the late 19th century, the house was home to Prince Louis of Battenberg and his wife, Princess Victoria of Hesse. Through their family connections, Elm Grove became closely linked to both the British and Russian royal families.
One frequent visitor was the future Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who stayed here before ascending the throne. He is said to have described Elm Grove as a “cosy cottage”, despite its grand appearance.
The families were closely connected. Victoria of Hesse was the sister of Tsarina Alexandra, making Prince Louis and Tsar Nicholas brothers-in-law. Their descendants would go on to play important roles in British history. Their daughter, Princess Alice, became the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, while their son was Lord Louis Mountbatten, a distinguished naval officer and statesman.
The story also has a tragic side. Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra and their children were all killed during the Russian Revolution in 1918, bringing an end to centuries of Romanov rule.
Elm Grove later took on a very different role as Walton’s magistrates’ court. In 1969, one of its most famous cases involved George Harrison of The Beatles, who appeared here on a charge of cannabis possession.
Today, the building has once again found a new purpose and is now home to a drama school.
This is the point where the Walton Trail divides. For the shorter route, continue down New Zealand Avenue towards Ashley Park. For the extended route, follow Hersham Road for approximately one mile before turning right under the railway bridge into West Grove to visit the White House.
