Taplow Court

Taplow Court, a mid 19th century mansion set high above the Thames near Maidenhead, is the home of SGI-UK, a lay Buddhist society. SGI-UK is part of a world-wide network of organisations in over 192 countries & territories that aims to contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world through educational and cultural activities based on the philosophy of the 13th century Japanese sage, Nichiren Daishonin. He taught that each person can transform not only their own lives, but also society and the environment, by revealing their most positive and creative potential through the practice of Buddhism.

The Taplow site has a long history of continuous human habitation. In the Iron Age a massive hillfort covered the site and the famous 7th century Anglo-Saxon burial mound can still be seen in the garden. There has been a manor house here since before 1066 and the manor was successively owned by the monks of Merton Priory, until the Dissolution, and then by the Hampson family in the 17th century, who came under attack during the Civil War.
 
In the 18th century, Taplow Court was the home of the Earls and Countesses of Orkney. The first Earl fought at the Battles of the Boyne and Blenheim and was appointed first British Field Marshall. In the mid 19th century the house was given its present Jacobean-revival/French Gothic appearance by the architect William Burn.
 
At the turn of the 19th/20th centuries, the great sportsman, William Henry Grenfell and his wife Ettie, hosted gatherings of the elite, aristocratic social group, 'the Souls', here. Their eldest son, Julian Grenfell, one of the war poets, was killed in 1915.
 
After the Second World War, Taplow Court was owned by British Telecommunications Research and Plessey Electronics. SGI-UK came here in 1988. Today, the house and other buildings on site are used for courses and conferences for the society's own members and also in cooperation with other like-minded educational and charitable organisations. The Library of the European Branch of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy is based at Taplow Court and students may have access to over 10,000 books by appointment.

2024/2025 Weekdays & Weekends Opening Times  

Taplow Court is open to the public:
On our open days, Sunday 11 May, 8 June,13 July, 10 August, 14 September: grounds open from 12.30, house and refreshments from 2pm. Taplow Court closes at 5pm.

STRICTLY NO DOGS except Guide and Alert dogs.

Free car park, or please use a taxi from the train station.

Taplow Court is open to SGI-UK members and SGI members from overseas:

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4pm. 

STRICTLY NO DOGS except Guide and Alert dogs.
 
Please use a taxi from the train station or call 01628 773163 after 10am to book a lift from the Keibi team.

A Japanese-speaking guide may be available if you call or email a week or more in advance, on +44 1628 591246 or tcservices@sgi-uk.org

On Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm, except on closed weekends (see below)

SGI-UK shop open at weekends from 12pm-5pm, except on closed weekends (see below)(*)
 
STRICTLY NO DOGS except Guide and Alert dogs

A shuttle service is available from the Bath Rd entrance to Taplow station (see public transport below). Otherwise, please use a taxi.

A Japanese-speaking guide may be available if you call or email a week or more in advance, on +44 1628 591246 or  tcservices@sgi-uk.org
 
(*) Taplow Court is closed on these weekends:  2024: 21/22 Dec, 2025: 18/19 Jan 2025, 22/23 Feb, 22/23 Mar, 19/20 Apr, 24/25 May, 28/29 June, 19/20 Jul, 23/24 Aug, 27/28 Sep, 25/26 Oct, 22/23 Nov, 20/21 Dec
 
Public Transport
Trains run from Paddington station to Taplow station, Monday to Sunday. To book a pickup from Taplow station please call 01628 773163 on the day of your visit - after 10.00am on weekdays and 9.30am on weekends. Please note that all trains arriving at Taplow Station between 8.00 - 9.30am on weekends will be met by the transport team. Booking in advance is not possible.
 
Change to pick-up and drop-off transport arrangements
 
From Saturday 30 November 2024, all pick-ups and drop-offs will be from the Bath Road entrance to Taplow railway station.

This is the opposite side of the station than the one we have traditionally used.
If you are arriving from the Maidenhead direction, please cross the bridge to get to the pick-up point.
If you are returning in the direction of London, please plan to leave from Taplow Court a few minutes earlier, in order to cross the bridge for the London bound platform, No. 4 
After the opening of the Elizabeth Line, congestion outside the ticket office has caused increased safety concerns. The Bath Rd entrance provides a safer pick-up and drop-off location as well as a drive in/drive out car parking area.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we move forwards with this new approach together.