Staines is an urban area in the Borough (Hundreds) of Spelthorne (Spelethorne). The main towns in Spelthorne are Staines (Stanes), Ashford (Exeford), Stanwell (Stanwelle), Shepperton (Scepertone), Sunbury (Sunbarie). Staines is the administrative centre of the Borough and has the largest shopping area. Spelthorne is a district of London, that has a population of approximately 90,000, and covers 21 square miles.

(words in brackets are from the Doomsday Book. c.1086.)

The Oast House is located in Kingston Road, quite close to the Railway station. We all call it the Oast House, but actually is isn't. It is a Malt House. It was used by the man who had his brewery at Knowle Green in the late 1700's until 1903. The rest of the brewery was eventually pulled down to enable housing to be erected in the space. The Oast House was closed down by the Brewery, which at that time was Ashby's, in 1912. Brewing ceased in Staines around the 1950's. This is the final piece of Harris's Brewery remaining.

This building has been used for various things through the years, a Paint & Varnish makers in 1920, Spelthorne Adult Education Institute, for the most time this side of History, storage for the Museum items while a new Museum was being readied, squatters took it over for a while as well just a few years ago. I actually took an English 'O' level there in 1977, while I was pregnant with my youngest! I got a 'B', and a lovely son!

The Knowle Green Brewery belonged to Mr. Thomas Poulter Harris in 1877 and later Mr. Thomas Fladgate Harris in 1903, it was pre 1877 located close to Thames Street, but moved to Knowle Green by about 1827. The Brewery passed down through the Harris family until in 1903 when it was bought by the Ashby's and closed down. It seems one of the Mr Harris's was a very caring man who looked after his workers well and helped those less fortunate. Although Ashby's brewery was the largest in the area, the Harris family held their own for many years.

May 2022: The Council voted to approve, to progress, for a mixed-use scheme on the Oast House grounds. Of course the grounds should be better used. One of the plans is to have a NHS Medical Centre built there along with some affordable housing. I am sure that Mr. Harris would approve of the reasons these should be built, to help people as he always did. The Oast House itself is Grade ll listed and so can't be pulled down. The ideas for it are a Theatre or Community Centre of some description. It has been around for many, many years. It is a part of the history of Staines, it should be preserved and used once again. I will update here when I get more information.

Various Photos from Google Earth and elsewhere of different places in Staines plus extra information are listed below. Town Hall High Street Art Works in Staines Banks Smiths to Banks Cinema's The Lino Premier Inn White Lion Clarence Street Church Street Thames Street Extras 1 Floods Ashby's Digs Stations Destruction Roman Medical Instruments Shops through the Years. High Street Shops through the Years. Other Streets Golden Boy Iron Bridge Research info Museum Talks 2022 Oast House Dragonfly Dezignz

Churches