Nestled in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside Shell House is a beautiful Grade II* listed 17th century country house, with later additions in 1902 and 2022. The property occupies an idyllic, secluded position surrounded by countryside yet minutes from the village pub and shop and with easy access to London by road and rail. Shell House has been superbly renovated by the current owners, expertly combining rustic, original features with contemporary design.

The property is wonderfully presented with characterful, quirky accommodation throughout. Features include leaded windows, decorative fireplaces, Dik Geurts wood burners, original flooring in parts and reclaimed doors and shutters sourced from a French chateaux. On the ground floor there is an easy flow between the living spaces. The front door opens into a charming reception hall, with a cloakroom and stairs to the first floor, leading through to the vaulted, open plan kitchen/breakfast/dining room overlooking the garden. The bespoke fitted kitchen is beautifully appointed featuring modular units with sliding doors and ingenious storage spaces alongside an excellent range of Siemens appliances. A large island unit, complemented by a mix of marble and Neolith worktops, incorporates breakfast bar seating. A double sided fireplace subtly separates the dining space from the kitchen while French doors from both areas open on to the outside terrace. Just off the kitchen is a useful boot room ideal for dogs and muddy boots. Across the hall both the sitting room and adjoining snug are charming spaces, both enjoying a dual aspect and feature fireplaces. Of particular note is the Elizabethan overmantel in the snug. The basement/lower ground floor offers further living space with a cinema/family room, study and utility room.

There are four beautifully appointed and characterful bedrooms arranged over two floors, all enjoying a dual aspect framing wonderful countryside views. The principal bedroom benefits from a bespoke range of built-in wardrobes and a luxurious shower room. There are elegantly appointed family bath/shower rooms on both floors.

Gardens and Grounds

The beautiful gardens and grounds of Shell House surround the property extending to about 7.5 acres in all. An Italianate style terrace provides an elegant space for outside dining in the summer months with steps opening up to the landscaped formal gardens with areas of woodland, orchard and pasture land beyond. In addition is an established kitchen garden with raised beds and fruit canes, a timber framed greenhouse alongside a chicken enclosure with shed.

Shell House benefits from a variety of outbuildings, and of particular note is a charming summer house comprising a living room, bedroom, kitchenette and shower room, ideal for family and friends. Further outbuildings include a gym, donkey stable and a large barn/garage, offering excellent flexibility of use. A gravelled driveway affords ample parking while three timber clad container units provide inventive additional storage and are currently used to store a range of vehicles.

Historical Note

Shell House has a fascinating history and more than 300 years after it was built it is still today the most architecturally notable building in Hedgerley village, with its decorative brickwork of red stretchers and glazed blue headers in a typical Buckinghamshire style. This asymmetrical house was built in the late seventeenth century by Edward Penn, when symmetry was the ruling fashion. A detailed survey by Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society members indicates that it was asymmetrical from the start a half-house whose internal plan shows how the services of a larger symmetrical plan were shoehorned in to cope with reduced circumstances. Documentary research reveals how his inheritance of nearby Chalfont House was seized by King Charles II, given to the infamous Judge Jeffreys, and led Edward into a series of expensive and ultimately futile court cases. At the turn of the twentieth century, a single storey extension was added with an ornate Dutch gable end.

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