New Sherlock Holmes Adventure
The race to save Undershaw
An urgent appeal has been launched this week to find out if Sherlock Holmes fans across the world will pledge support for a project to secure the future of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s home, Undershaw at Hindhead.
Undershaw was built by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1897 so that his invalid wife Louise could benefit from Hindhead’s healthy climate during her convalescence, but despite its history and inspirational location, in recent years it has fallen on hard times and is now in danger of being divided up and extended for private residential use. Until 2004 it was a hotel and restaurant but recent plans for a hotel, wedding venue and museum fell through.
The Victorian Society tried unsuccessfully in 2007 to have the house awarded Grade 1 status but this was rejected by the Secretary of State. The torch has now passed to the Hindhead Together partnership to safeguard the property. Members representing Haslemere Town, Waverley Borough and Surrey County Councils, the Surrey Hills Board, SEEDA, Natural England, the National Trust and the Highways Agency, believe Undershaw could represent a focal point for a Hindhead renaissance following the opening of the A3 tunnel and removal of the existing A3.
No planning decisions have yet been made, so the Hindhead Together partnership is anxious to seize the opportunity to explore whether there is interest in preserving Undershaw as a “Conan Doyle” centre welcoming visitors to the world of Sherlock Holmes, the extensive Heathlands of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Devils Punchbowl.
The Victorian Society Conservation Officer, Heloise Brown, was delighted at the idea, and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt said “I am adding my wholehearted support to this campaign as I am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and also a great believer in the importance of keeping the building's literary heritage alive and well for the area and for future generations.”
Sue Saville, Regional Director of the National Trust in the South East, said: “We share the anxiety expressed by the Hindhead Together partnership about the future of Undershaw. If sufficient interest and funding could be raised, we’d be keen to explore how, working with the partnership, it might be possible for the property to be used as a visitor centre and gateway to the outstanding landscape of the Devil’s Punchbowl.”
The Chairman of Hindhead Together, Poul Christensen, explained that Undershaw was a major National asset that could breathe new life into Hindhead, so the race is on to find people, societies and organisations willing to pledge financial support.
If you are interested in pledging support to save Undershaw, please contact .
caroline@hindheadtogether.org.uk or visit www.hindheadtogether.org.uk.
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Media enquiries please contact Caroline White on 07772 855090 or Rob Fairbanks on 01372 220640