Step Into History: Discover Monty’s Secret D-Day HQ in Surrey
Amesbury School, Hazel Grove, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6BL
Visit Amesbury School near Hindhead in Surrey, open to the public for the first time in over 120 years.
Self-tour the remarkable site, explore the history and beauty of the site, take tea, with a playground available.
The School was Field Marshall Montgomery's secret rear HQ during World War II. His son, a pupil at the school during the war, was his initial reason to visit. Then Monty's home in Portsmouth was bombed out. He was kindly offered rooms when he visited the school, one of which became a secret rear HQ known as 'Lion Rear'. You can visit this room, the Summer House he loved and cricket pavilion. Take tea on the Head's lawn and imbibe the history of the Grade II Lutyens building, built in 1903. There are some artifacts available to view.
The school is open 19 and 20 September 1100 - 1600, with a special talk at 1300 each day from local history, Chris Harrison. He produced the detailed research which made the connection between Monty's presence at Amesbury and the planning of the D Day landings, leading to the award of a blue plaque in 2021. Monty wrote to the Head's wife Phyllis in March 1948, 'The fact that we had a home at Amesbury was the chief fact in enabling me to do what I did towards winning the war. If I had had worries about David (his son), I could hardly have won my battles'.
If exceptional demand, more talks will be added.
Timings
- Saturday 19 September:
- 1100-1600 hours. Talk at 1300 Monty and Amesbury
- Sunday 20 September:
- 1100-1600 hours. Talk at 1300 Monty and Amesbury
Location & directions
Amesbury School, Hazel Grove, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6BL
- Directions:
- AA signs will direct visitors to the event - there are two car parks available GU26 6BL.
- Contact on day:
- Helen Gustard
- Telephone number:
- +447974982420
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Booking via EventBrite (see link below) 300 tickets each day Limit of 50 tickets for talk about Monty at Amesbury at 1pm daily (more will be added if exceptional demand)
- Booking contact name:
- Helen Gustard
- Booking telephone number:
- +441428604322
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-open-day-visit-amesbury-school-tickets-1992933796634?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Alternative booking website:
- https://www.amesburyschool.co.uk
- Booking opens:
- 12 Jul 2026 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 17 Sep 2026 12:00 AM
