Spring LaneCookham Dean, Berkshire, SL6 6PW

The Mount is a wonderful Grade II Listed country house, thought to have originally been a hunting lodge to Windsor Castle. According to the official listing the property originates from the late 16th Century and was then altered and extended in the late 19th Century. The oldest wing is part timber frame with brick infill and part brick with an old tile gabled roof. The Victorian addition gave the house even
greater presence with its prominent gables, bell tower and chimneys. It has been in the same family for over 50 years and now requires full modernisation.

The Mount is steeped in history having been the former home of Kenneth Grahame, author of the children's classics, The Wind in the Willows and The Reluctant Dragon. Born in 1859, when Kenneth was at a young age he lived at The Mount and was introduced to the riverside and boating by his uncle, David Ingles, who was a curate at Cookham Dean church. This ambience, particularly Quarry Wood and the River Thames, is believed by Grahame's biographer, Peter Green, to have inspired the setting for The Wind in the Willows.

The property's rich heritage continues with Sir Stanley Spencer, the acclaimed English artist who painted several works at the property. Cookham was very important to Stanley Spencer (1891 -1959), he called it ‘a Village in Heaven' and it was an endless source of artistic inspiration throughout his life.

Turning to the house itself, the highlight of the ground floor is the stunning panelled drawing room with its wonderful proportions, elegant fireplace and bay window overlooking the formal gardens. From here the hallway leads past the kitchen to the atmospheric dining room with attractive fireplace with Delft tiling. Beyond is a sitting room/ family snug with another beautiful feature fireplace and the original front door with stained glass windows, entrance hall and main staircase. The remainder of the ground floor comprises of the kitchen and extensive domestic offices which now require complete refurbishment.

On the first floor there are eight bedrooms, three family bathrooms and a WC with the bedrooms on the eastern side of the house having stunning distant views across the gardens to the lovely rural countryside beyond The Mount, as painted by Sir Stanley Spencer. A continuation of the rear staircase from the ground floor serves the second floor which is currently laid out as a self-contained flat with four further bedrooms in addition. A further staircase off the main landing leads up to the attics in the older section of the house.

The Mount is approached from the south by an impressive driveway leading to a large parking area in front of the house. The wonderful formal gardens lie predominantly to the south and east of the house and are believed to have been originally laid out in the 1890s. A lovely, elevated terrace with rose beds flanks the principal façade with steps and gravel pathway leading down to the stunning yew hedged topiary. This is bordered to one side by the Italianate sunken garden featuring a mature wisteria and and ornamental pond.

A pretty woodland walkway meanders along the perimeter with
an abundance of rhododendrons, azaleas and other flowering shrubs. To the eastern boundary is an area of orchard. The gardens are absolutely delightful and display some incredible trees including Blue and Atlantic Cedars which create a beautiful arboretum setting for this special home.

There is an outdoor swimming pool and the grounds are completed by a former kitchen garden with greenhouse and a 3 bay open store/potential garage.

In all the grounds extend to about 3.5 acres.

Private drainage (not compliant with current regulations)

View payable Stamp Duty for this property