Craigweil House

Craigweil House near Bognor Regis was built by the Countess of Newburgh, who died in 1797. She used to call it the ‘The Pavilion’ – it is thought this may have had some connection with the Brighton Pavilion. In 1828, The Pavilion belonged to the Rev. Henry Raikes, and later to Sir Alexander Dixie, Capt RN. He was born in 1780 and served at Trafalgar with distinction. From 1850 it was occupied by Colonel Austen, at which time it was still known as The Pavilion. Dr Alonzo Stocker owned it in 1880; his widow died in 1927 after living in Craigweil Lodge. The latter was owned and occupied by their son Hubert Stocker in 1939.

Craigweil House was sold to Sir Arthur du Cros in 1915. In 1919 he enlarged it, and it is famously remembered for the arrival of King George V on February 9th 1929 for his convalescence until May 15th 1929. During this visit, on May 10th, the King held a Privy Council Meeting, dissolving Parliament and Knighting Captain Seagrave, the racing motorist.

However, the house had to be pulled down in 1938 following a fire. After this time, Craigweil Estate was starting to be built in the grounds of the house.

The House and grounds consisted of some 30 acres, and Craigweil House itself spanned The Drive as it exists today. No less than 5 properties have since been built on the grounds of the original House.