A young cricketer, a chance encounter and an unexpected connection between Stone House Hotel and one of English literature’s best-loved characters.
Percy Jeeves, the Yorkshire cricketer whose name inspired P. G. Wodehouse’s famous fictional valet. Image Credit: Warwickshire County Cricket Club
10 min read*
Percy Jeeves: Hawes cricketer, gardener, and literary legend
Some stories are written in books. Others become part of the history of a place.
Here at Stone House Hotel, we have one that begins in our gardens, takes us to the cricket pitches of Edwardian England and ends with one of the most familiar names in English literature.
His name was Percy Jeeves.
And yes, it’s that Jeeves.
Long before P. G. Wodehouse’s fictional Jeeves was helping Bertie Wooster out of his many predicaments, the real Percy Jeeves was making a name for himself as a talented young cricketer. And, for a time, he worked as a gardener here at Stone House.
It’s a lovely little connection to our past, and a story we always enjoy sharing.
From Stone House to the Cricket Pitch
In the early 1900s, Percy Jeeves was a promising young cricketer playing for Hawes Cricket Club.
His talent caught the attention of Hugh Arden Crallan, the original owner of Stone House and a keen cricket enthusiast who had helped establish the local cricket club.
Crallan had Stone House built as his country home in 1908 and employed Percy as a gardener.
Hawes, in the heart of Wensleydale, where Percy Jeeves played cricket.
We like to imagine Percy working in the gardens here, surrounded by the hills of Wensleydale, perhaps looking forward to his next cricket match.
His opportunity to play professional cricket came about in a rather unexpected way.
The story goes that Rowland Ryder, secretary of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, was visiting Hawes when he cut himself shaving. After receiving treatment from a local doctor, he was encouraged to spend the afternoon watching a cricket match.
It was there that he happened to see Percy bowl.
Impressed by the young man’s talent, Ryder helped set him on the path to a professional cricketing career with Warwickshire.
A shaving accident, an afternoon’s cricket and a chance encounter that changed the course of Percy’s career. It’s quite a story.
The Inspiration Behind Jeeves
In August 1913, Percy was playing for Warwickshire against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.
Among those watching was P. G. Wodehouse, a keen cricket enthusiast who would later become famous for his stories about Bertie Wooster and his ever-resourceful valet, Jeeves.
Wodehouse was impressed by Percy’s bowling, but it was his surname that stayed with him.
Years later, he confirmed in a letter that he had borrowed the name Jeeves after watching Percy play.
The fictional Jeeves made his first appearance in 1915 and went on to become one of the most recognisable characters in English comic literature.
Known for his impeccable manners, intelligence and ability to resolve Bertie Wooster’s many difficulties, Jeeves has entertained generations of readers and television audiences, perhaps most famously through Stephen Fry’s portrayal alongside Hugh Laurie in Jeeves and Wooster.
And to think that the name behind such a well-loved character once belonged to a young man who tended the gardens at Stone House.
Remembering Percy Jeeves
Sadly, Percy never lived to see how famous his name would become.
His cricketing career was flourishing when the First World War began. He joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and was killed during the Battle of the Somme on 22 July 1916, aged just 28.
His body was never recovered, and today his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Percy Jeeves with his Warwickshire teammates in 1914. Percy is on the back row, third from the right. Image Credit: Warwickshire County Cricket Club
In 2016, a memorial tree and plaque were dedicated to Percy at Cheltenham College cricket ground, bringing together descendants of both Percy Jeeves and P. G. Wodehouse.
A fitting tribute to a talented young man whose life was cut tragically short.
A Little Piece of Stone House History
Stone House Hotel, where Percy Jeeves once worked as a gardener.
More than a century has passed since Percy Jeeves worked in the gardens of Stone House, but much of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales would still feel familiar.
The rolling hills, dry-stone walls and beautiful countryside around Hawes remain part of what makes this corner of Yorkshire so special.
We love that Stone House has its own small connection to such a well-known literary character. It’s one of those unexpected details that makes the history of our country house so interesting.
And there’s something rather lovely about imagining Percy going about his work in the gardens, with no idea that his surname would one day be recognised around the world.
If you find yourself in Hawes, we’d be delighted to welcome you to Stone House. There’s always another story to discover.
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FAQs
Who was Percy Jeeves and how is he connected to Hawes?
Percy Jeeves was a Hawes cricketer known for his skill, sportsmanship, and calm nature. Before achieving fame as the inspiration for PG Wodehouse’s literary butler, he worked as a gardener at Stone House Hotel. Percy’s real-life qualities left a strong impression on locals, visitors, and the author alike.
How can I visit the places connected to Percy Jeeves in Hawes?
You can stay at Stone House Hotel, where Percy Jeeves once worked. From there, it’s easy to explore Hawes’ cricket greens and local landmarks as well as walk through landscapes much as Percy did.
Is Stone House Hotel suitable for business travellers in winter?
Absolutely. We offer practical amenities such as fast Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces, flexible meal times, and the peace you need to focus. The calm and friendly atmosphere encourages productivity as well as genuine respite after a day’s work.
What is the best way to reach Hawes during the colder months?
The most direct way is by car, which allows you to explore the area at your own pace. For those using public transport, Garsdale Station provides good train and bus links, with taxis for the final journey into Hawes.
What local experiences should I not miss between November and January?
Attend Remembrance Sunday in Hawes for a moving community experience, sample seasonal dishes at Stone House Hawes, visit the famous Wensleydale Creamery, and enjoy a quiet market town vibe. Look out for winter festivals and take advantage of crisp walking weather before relaxing at the hotel by the fire.
Let the story of Percy Jeeves and Stone House Hawes add a meaningful new chapter to your Yorkshire Dales adventure. For more advice, events, or bespoke travel plans, reach out to our welcoming team at Stone House Hotel.
