| Date | 27 April 2012 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
| Reference | VP-0026 |
| Volume | Views of the Past |
| Collection | Views of the Past |
Transcript
What an inspiring visit
Views of the past by Elias Kupfermann
MAIDENHEAD and its surrounding landscape captured the hearts and souls and minds of many artists, writers and entertainers during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Picturesque views of Maidenhead were captured on canvas by the many artists who stayed at the clubs and hotels which adorned the banks of the Thames. Paintings of the river included James Tissot’s Return Of The Boating Party (1873), Charles Gregory’s Skindle’s Hotel (1888), Walter Goldsmith’s Maidenhead Bridge (1893) and, of course, the famous Boulter’s Lock On A Sunday Afternoon (1895) by Edward Gregory.
Maidenhead’s beauty, however, was not appreciated by all. Jerome K Jerome in his travelogue along the Thames, Three Men In A Boat (1897), wrote ‘Maidenhead is too snobby to be pleasant. It is the haunt of the river swell and his over-dressed female companion. It is the town of showy hotels patronised chiefly by dudes and ballet girls‘.
Many literary figures and entertainers stayed in Maidenhead to attend the lavish parties given by Lord and Lady Desborough at Taplow Court. Lady Desborough was an influential member of ‘the Souls’, a group of aristocrats who surrounded themselves with famous literary figures, artists and actors of the day.
The ‘Soul‘ parties at Taplow Court were the most sought-after social events in late Victorian and Edwardian society. Sir Henry Irving, the most celebrated actor of the 1890s, was invited to stay at Taplow Court by the Desboroughs and often performed after dinner at ‘Soul‘ parties.
HG Wells was also a frequent visitor, and it gave him the opportunity to meet up with his mistress, authoress Rebecca West, at the Riviera Hotel.
Maidenhead soon became known as a place for illicit affairs and a row of villas on the Thames known affectionately as ‘Gaiety Row‘ (now part of River Road) was a meeting place for men visiting their mistresses.
Maidenhead was by this time was certainly a place of enjoyment and inspiration.
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