Horndon on the Hill, Essex

High House is on the Left of this picture. It was the home of John Vincent, a prosperous veterinary surgeon, and his wife. Their nephew, Philip Conrad Vincent, was born in Fulham in 1908. His parents lived in Argentina where they owned a cattle farm. Philip came to live here with his Aunt and Uncle as a schoolboy and became interested in motorcycles starting with a 350cc BSA. He was more interested in motorbikes than studying and with assistance of his family and friends at the age of 20 formed the Vincent H.R.D. Company to design and manufacture the Vincent motorcycle in Stevenage.

The Vincent family plot in Horndon cemetery where Philip's ashes are interred.

On the 21st July 2002 Thurrock Council and the Vincent-H.R.D. Owners Club commemorated Philip Vincent with a Thurrock Heritage Plaque attached to Hill House.

A later memorable occupant of Hill House was Eileen Fowler. She became famous for her radio and television exercise programmes of the 50s, 60s and 70s and is regarded as the forerunner to today's keep-fit gurus.

Eileen ran fitness classes in the Village with often Doris Orris providing the musical accompaniment on a piano.

High House is now owned by the Bell Inn who also own Hill House immediately to the South. The main part of High House is a luxury hotel. The former Ostlers quarters of High House which were on the South side of the coaching arch have been incorpated into Hill House to form The Ostlers Cocktail Bar & Restaurant which provides a modern grill-style menu in an open plan bistro setting.