Elegant Queen Anne style country house situated in two acres of beautiful grounds
Built in 1913, the house was commissioned by Viscount Dunedin for his daughter as a wedding present. Subsequently, with happy longevity there have only been four owners, including the actress Googie Withers and her husband John McCallum. Constructed in the Queen Anne style, using red brick under a red tiled roof, the traditional layout is well arranged with the main reception rooms all facing in a southerly direction with Georgian style sash windows overlooking the gardens. The rooms are classically proportioned, providing excellent family accommodation and space for formal entertaining. Interesting internal features include the original wood parquet flooring, traditional mouldings, open fireplaces, antique fire backs and marble slips. The principal ground floor rooms open off the impressive reception hall with its panelled walls and elegant staircase. The dual aspect drawing room is delightfully light and, in common with the sitting room and study, it has open fireplaces and French doors to the terrace. The dining room has a door to the east garden and it adjoins the kitchen/breakfast room which opens to the conservatory, with views of the gardens on all sides. The beautifully carved oak staircase rises to the generous landing and the five first floor bedrooms. The principal bedroom is spacious with a large en suite bathroom and a separate dressing room, which could offer a further bedroom. The remaining four characterful bedrooms are served by two family bathrooms.
Approached from the rear hall or by a separate access beside the garages, the annexe makes ideal au pair accommodation or an escape for teenage children. Accommodation comprises a hall, sitting/dining room with a bay window, kitchen and a bedroom with en suite bathroom.
The property is approached through a pair of brick piers to a gravel driveway and a turning circle with a separate spur to the garages. The gardens and grounds surround the house on all sides and are an absolute delight. A large terrace spans the south side of the house, creating an attractive setting for summer entertaining. The lawn is flanked by yew hedges and a magnificent cedar tree stands in pride of place. A mature rhododendron garden shelters the swimming pool and pool house. To the east of the house, lawned gardens are surrounded by herbaceous borders and are overlooked by a charming Gothic folly with a thatched roof. The scene is completed with an apple orchard, a lavender parterre and a cutting bed. The garage block provides space for two cars and, between the two garages, a garden store is located and there is a separate WC. Additional outbuildings include a potting shed and a greenhouse.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property