GRIM'S DYKE HOTEL

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Frederick Goodall Internet Links

Frederick Goodall RA

Grim's Dyke was built in 1870 for Frederick Goodall a successful Victorian Painter who lived from 1822 to 1904. The House was designed by Norman Shaw a well known architect who also designed the New Scotland Yard Building.

Frederick Goodall was elected a full member of the Royal Academy in 1864. Some years earlier, Goodall had purchased 110 acres on the Harrow Weald from the Marquis of Abercorn.

The best source of information about Frederick Goodall and the Goodall Family of Artists is www.goodallartists.ca This site is maintained by Frederick's great nephew, Richard Goodall who lives in British Columbia.

the site details the life and artistic output of Frederick Goodall.

Goodall's actual purchase took place in 1856 but he was unable to build until the expiry of a lease. The ancient Grime's Dyke earthwork as it was known at that time, ran through the property. The fosse was dammed at one end to make a stretch of ornamental water in the midst of which Goodall placed the statue of Charles the 2nd from Soho Square given to him by a wealthy neighbour and patron.

Frederick Goodall at work

The Architect, Norman Shaw, designed a brick and timber house fantastically gabled with immensely high chimneys and Goodall surrounded it with conifers and exotic shrubs.  It was completed in 1872. The name of "Grime's Dyke" did not sound fitting for the new house, so Shaw suggested that it should be called Graeme's Dyke.   Here Gooodall entertained artists and society including the Prince of Wales and Charles Dickens.   Graeme's Dyke was reluctantly sold to Mr.Heriot the banker who then sold it to W. S. Gilbert in 1890. 

Please send any information and comments on these links to: enquiries@grimsdyke.com