Hello everyone,
I came across this site when searching for Beau Regard and see that although the comments are quite old, Tim Green posted a recent request on January 02, 2020, for any more information.
The original posting in October 2007 requested information on “Beau Regard Hotel” during the 1920-1930 timeframe. This triggered very interesting posts on the early history of the property until the beginning of World War II when the property was requisitioned by the War Department. There is a gap between the end of the War and the 1950s when Cross Caravans had their business there. I can fill in that timeframe for you.
My father purchased the property in the summer of 1945 and sold it in 1952 (or it could have been 1951). It was known as “Beau Regard Roadhouse” Wallingford, but had a Warborough telephone number (Warborough 118). I have a brochure describing the property.
I don’t know how the property is arranged today with the new buildings, but going back in time, where you drove into the property from the road, there was, is, a lodge style brick house with a verandah and this is where my father, mother and I lived. To the right of this entrance from the road, there was a lawn area, rose garden, plus a circular swimming pool, this area was in front of the restaurant, bar and ballroom.
To the left of the ballroom were separate buildings: a greenhouse, a building for a generator, and a facilities block (toilets, etc.).
To the rear of all of these buildings was a meadow surrounded on three sides by chalets, small ones for 2 people and some larger ones for up to 4 people.
Caravan sites: After driving past the house at the entrance, a left turn had you on a driveway (unmade) flanked on either side by trees, cedars I believe, quite large and they formed a canopy across the driveway. This opened up to another field.
The brochure shows the steps down to the river. In the springtime, there was an abundance of daffodils. At some time in the past, someone had planted daffodils on the bank spelling the words “Beau Regard”.
Hope this additional info is of interest to all!
