The Street, Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0PF | Property for sale | Savills
909.24 sq m(9,787 sq ft)
Guide price £4,550,000

The StreetWonersh, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0PF

  • Sold

Key features

  • Sold in May 2023
  • Grade II listed
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool and Tennis Court
  • Two Ancillary Cottages
  • Ample Parking and Garaging
  • 1.43 acres

Historic edge of Village House with a charming tie to Winnie The Pooh

About this property

  • Green Place is Grade II listed and like so many of the best English houses has been altered and improved by successive generations. It can be dated back to the 15th century and was extended in the 16th and late 18th centuries when the Georgian portion was added. The 19th century witnessed the addition of elegant Regency facades and the larger reception rooms and bedrooms. Consequently, internally and externally, Green Place is a charming, eclectic mix of three very distinct architectural styles: the oldest, mainly Tudor section of the house is timber framed with some brick and rubble infill, whilst the adjacent Georgian section contrasts with the beautifully proportioned, stuccoed Regency elevations to the front and side of the property.

    Around 1742 the property was owned by a Richard Sparkes. It was around this time that a Georgian farmhouse was built next to the original, old house.

    The property lies behind a stone wall and is approached up a gravelled drive accessed via electric, wrought iron entrance gates.

    The general arrangement of the house provides the elegant main entrance, with Regency style trellised porch, to the front of the property. To the rear lies space for parking and turning in a part-cobbled courtyard, and a charming former Coach House.

    This Georgian section of Green Place faces the road and the church opposite, extending further forwards than the original property. Wonderful internal features still remain and include a fine flagstone floor in what was once the farmhouse Kitchen, (now spacious Dining Room) and an original, well preserved, cast-iron cooking pot holder in the fireplace of the then Scullery (now a well-equipped, Smallbone Kitchen/Breakfast Room). There are many original beams throughout the property in addition to some delicate, authentic Georgian brass catches on window shutters in the Dining Room.

    In the early 19th century, another Richard Sparkes owned and lived in the property and is believed to be responsible for adding the Regency elevations, producing the most dramatic of all the improvements made to Green Place throughout its history. This new, symmetrical wing was literally wrapped round the front and garden side of the Georgian farmhouse, followed by a similar extension at the back of the property. Beautifully balanced, this latest, slate tiled addition with bracket guttering so typical of the period, offers large sash windows, high ceilings and well proportioned rooms in the classic tradition of the era (witnessed by the Drawing Room, Morning Room and Study).

    The enlarged entrance hall created by the Regency addition has been beautifully designed to incorporate an archway to frame the impressive, curved staircase that rises to the first floor and is topped with a polished mahogany handrail. It is widely believed that following E.H Shepherd's visit to Green Place, he used this staircase as inspiration for his illustration of A.A Milne's poem 'Halfway Down', showing Winnie the Pooh lying abandoned at the top of the stairs, as featured in the book 'When We Were Very Young'.

    The grounds provide a peaceful setting for Green Place and are fully utilised, with deep herbaceous borders to the main, rear garden which is predominantly laid to lawn. A long rose pergola graces its eastern boundary and links the main garden to the formal, box hedged planting that lies in front of the charming Loggia and Terrace. The views over the Surrey countryside can be fully appreciated from here and expand beyond the impressive gateway of adjacent Wonersh Park.

    Beyond the yew hedge lie the Orchard, Green House and Tennis Court. The discreet Swimming Pool Area is located on the northern boundary. Very enclosed, it is utterly private with a raised stone edged swimming pool and a wonderful view of adjacent Chinthurst Hill.

    View payable Stamp Duty for this property

Green Place is delightful in every way, sitting perfectly on the edge of Wonersh Village. It is believed following E.H.Shepherd's visit, that he used their staircase for inspiration for A.A Milne's poem 'Halfway Down' showing Winnie the Pooh lying abandoned at the top of the stairs.

Justin TheobaldProperty agent

Local information

  • Green Place is situated on the edge of the popular, picturesque village of Wonersh, within the Surrey Hills' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This historic village, featured in the Domesday Book, has a wealth of period houses along its main street and offers a good selection of local amenities including a public house, doctor's surgery, village shop, post office and church. There is also an attractive village green. There are further local facilities in the nearby villages of Shamley Green, Shalford, Bramley and Cranleigh. The old market town of Guildford is under 5 miles away, offering a wide range of shops, leisure facilities and transport links.

Additional information

  • Shamley Green 1.5 miles, Bramley 0.5 miles, Shalford 2 miles, Cranleigh 7 miles, Guildford 4.5 miles, Farnham 14 miles, Central London 36 miles, A3 5 miles, M25 13 miles, Heathrow Airport 29 miles, Gatwick Airport 39 miles
  • EPC Exempt
  • Tenure: Freehold
  • Council Tax Band: H