The Country Bank

We went to Upton House today, a National Trust property near Banbury. The house was owned by Lord Bearsted who also owned Shell Oil and the bank M. Samuel (now Hill Samuel part of Lloyds Bank). When the Second World War broke out he moved his entire bank business and staff to Upton House to protect his assets. He and his wife moved into The Dorchester Hotel for the duration of the war.

The national Trust has recreated the Country House Bank as it was in the 1940s complete with office equipment, dormatories and fittings of the time. They also have a fine vegetable garden in the grounds. Many of the priceless paintings were shipped out to a quarry in North Wales for protection against bombing when an RAF airfield was set up close by, they are now back in place.

There are some very impressive grounds including an outdoor swimming pool that was used by the bank staff and is still available to use, though the notices says you must be wearing 1940s woollen swimming costume.