Pictures of East Molesey

About East Molesey

This picturesque pleasant place is fortunate to lie between the waters of the historic River Thames and the River Mole. It is perhaps best known for Hampton Court Palace, the building started by Cardinal Wolsey in 1514.

The house is a magnificent result of the cardinal's desire for "grandeur" this gave the King considerable displeasure, thus the cardinal decided to appease the king by making him a present of the building. Since its inception Hampton Court has been the subject of many alterations and additions, but it was Henry VIII who added the spectacular Great Hall with its magnificent hammerbeam roof. It was Henry who embellished the chapel with its fine wooden fan vaulted ceiling, so artistic is this that it looks like stone.

Visitors to Hampton Court find East Molesey a prosperous place to look around, it has lovely properties from many periods, there is also a handsome church dedicated to St.Paul, this was built during the 19th century and celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. It is a delightful church to visit with the exterior showing a substantial tower topped by a graceful spire - these are additions of 1870. Inside visitors note a number of memorials, the most interesting is the beautiful east window of five lights, the centre light is to the memory of Marion Flockton and her baby son who both died in 1876, the four surrounding lights are in honour of Francis Jackson Kent, founder of the church who died in 1885. He was a noted towns-man and the inspiration behind the expansion of what was just a village in the 19th century.

The town has all the usual amenities of shops, supermarket, library, pubs, restaurants and inns. It also has some spectacular vantage points, such as the multi-arched bridge crossing the Thames. The side of the bridge is a pleasant place to tarry watching the life of the great river and its wildlife of swans, ducks and geese.

Hurst Park is a spacious green area bordering the Thames, the pathways here form part of the Thames Path and should you glance across the water you cannot miss David Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare, built opposite. Beware though, the Thames Pathway becomes very crowded during the summer months, particularly when cyclists stop off to visit Hampton Court.