This large and imposing house in Eastgate was the family home of motor racing pioneer Raymond Mays who was born there in 1899 and died there in 1980 at the age of 80. 

He was a leading racing motorist in the years between the wars and later the inspiration behind the world famous BRM, one of the world's best known racing cars that gained many honours on international circuits. In 1962, the BRM was the first all-British car to win the world championship and the company's leading driver Graham Hill became world champion. The company had another victorious year in 1965 when BRM cars gained either a first or second place in every Grand Prix race that was held. The cars were built in workshops behind the house and the premises are now the home of the Bourne Auction Rooms.

Eastgate House is a splendidly tall building that has been extended over the years. Although built in the late 18th century, the elegant brick frontage in the Regency style was added during the 19th century to the main part of the original stone building that had its own well. The property had long associations with the tanning and wool trades and an impressive coat of arms in carved stone is set high above the back entrance with the initials J C and the date 1796 on a scroll. Mini sun gods decorate the lower border.

The property dates back two years earlier to 1794 when it was bought by Thomas Chamberlain, a miller, and originally included in the estate were a number of cottages that were destroyed by fire. The initials J C are thought to refer to the birth of Chamberlain's son John  who later took over the house and in 1827 built a brewery, bakery, barns and stables on the site. The work however extended him financially and his affairs were placed in the hands of trustees, Thomas Lawrence of Dunsby and Edward Thompson of Morton, acting for his mother Mrs Mary Chamberlain, who also administered the farming interests that were attached to the estate. The property was then acquired by Thomas Mays, a fellmonger and skin dealer, in 1856 and continued as the family home until his grandson Raymond died in 1980.

During much of Raymond's occupation, the house was run by Mrs Myrtle Hammond who served with the family for 50 years. It was lavishly decorated with period furniture and there were many paintings on the walls including a portrait of Raymond painted in 1950 by Sofy Asscher and water colours of Raymond racing past the chequered flag in several of his successful events by the distinguished motoring artist Gordon Crosby.

Eastgate House was also the scene of many parties attended by famous stage celebrities and photographs hung on the walls signed by Ivor Novello, Mary Ellis, Phyllis and Zena Dare and Norma Shearer and an oil painting dominated the main staircase of José Collins the actress in her famous role as The Maid of the Mountains that had previously hung in the foyer of the Gaiety Theatre in London.  There was also a large signed portrait of Amy Johnson (1903-41), the aviatrix who in 1930 became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, and the inscription read: "To Raymond, in great admiration, Amy". The famous woman flier had showed an interest in hill climbing and motor racing and subsequently stayed at Eastgate House several times.

The house was sold after Raymond's death but he is remembered by a metal plaque on the outside wall.

An illustrated biography of Raymond Mays and his success with the BRM
can be found on the CD-ROM A Portrait of Bourne

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