Bucks Gazette 25th June, 1836

The Freehold and Copyhold Estate called Champneys, near Tring, Herts, consisting of a cottage villa, coach-house, stabling, garden, lawn, pleasure-grounds, and agricultural buildings, several cottages, and land, in all about 170 acres, with the manor or reputed manor of Champneys and Forsters, land tax redeemed, timber included in the purchase - knocked down at £7,350. Morning Advertiser 15 July, 1836

Lief's Nature Cure Resort, Champneys, Tring, Herts Possibly one of the earliest cards illustrating the resort
The Sphere 6 March, 1926
Main Entrance
Main Entrance Gates	South Terracce
South Front
The Chalets from the Lawn	The Tennis Courts
The South Terrace and Lawn looking East	The Drive looking West
No publisher information, date probably 1930s
The West Wing and Terrace

The history of the estate dates back to 1307 and is detailed in the Victoria County History for Hertfordshire. The current house was built by the Valpy family, who brought the estate in 1874. The house was brought by the Rothschild family in 1900 and in 1925 naturopath Stanley Lief purchased the house and opened it as England's first nature cure resort. Champneys is now known worldwide as a health resort for the rich.

Back of a playing card Did guests play Bridge  while at the resort using cards like this?

Health Home Champneys, Tring Photo No 54 - Newman Posted 8th September,1926   We arrived last Sat about 3.30 & have had glorious weather ever since. Annie is as brown as a berry already & feeling very fit. Went on beautiful little drive yesterday. We may phone you if able to run over see you before our return. Love to all from both. Lesley.

Detail - The House   As Stanley Lief only purchased Champneys in 1925 this may be the first postcard to show the chalets.   Detail - The Chalets

Books

There is a chapter on Stanley Lief (including a portrait photo) and his connection with Champneys in More Tring Personalities. There is also a short history, with a picture of the house in about 1910, in A Hertfordshire Valley.

Article: The Nature Cure - Focus on Stanley Lief of Champneys - in Hertfordshire Countryside, September 2006

Local Links

See Sale of Champneys Farm & Manor in 1804

During the First World War the Inns of Court exercised over the Champneys Estate.

Some External Links

For a brief history of Naturopathy in the UK see The General Council and Register of Naturopaths.

The Champneys web site

=========

If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.