Seale, Farnham, Surrey, GU10

Notable Harold Falkner country manor house providing in excess of 9,000 sq ft of accommodation, including 6 bedrooms and an integral one bedroom apartment, all set within about 3.5 acres.

Description

Runfold Manor is a notable early 20th Century country house situated at the end of a private driveway on the edge of Farnham. The property was built in 1925 by renowned local architect Harold Falkner, for Lady Diana Courtauld in the attractive William and Mary style. Harold Falkner concentrated his work in and around Farnham and built many characterful and well-crafted houses in the Queen Anne, William and Mary, and Arts & Crafts style. In recent years, the original house has been carefully extended and refurbished, including an extension to create further living accommodation and a leisure complex attached to the house. This has been sympathetically created to enable wonderful symmetry to the front and rear facades.

The house provides in excess of 9,500 sq ft with exceptional lateral space, proportions and light. Refurbished by the current owners the property is well presented throughout. In keeping with the William and Mary style, there are many character features one would expect of its era, including high ceilings, cornicing, fireplaces, limestone and wood floors, all in beautiful condition, as well as sash windows allowing in an abundance of natural light.

The grand front door is handsomely framed by a moulded stone surround and cornice supported by scrolled consoles and opens into the entrance hall with barrel vault ceiling, magnificently setting the scene for the rest of the property.

The principal reception rooms are particularly noteworthy and enjoy a south facing position. There is an impressive triple aspect drawing room with an elegant marble fireplace and stunning decorative cornicing. The family room is impressive with oak paneling, parquet floor and a beautifully carved wood and black marble fire surround. An elegant orangery provides an excellent entertainment/party room with access directly out to the south facing terrace. There is a cinema room with star light ceiling and a study with half paneled rosewood walls, a handsome fireplace and built in bookshelves with cupboards below.

The family kitchen is fitted with bespoke contemporary styled cabinetry with granite work tops, an island with breakfast bar seating, built in appliances and a gas AGA. This is a wonderfully bright room with two lantern roof lights and two sets of French doors giving access to the rear terrace. There is also an area for informal everyday dining. The kitchen is complimented by a utility room. There is also a boot room, storeroom and cloakroom.

Further on, double doors lead through to a gym, complete with hot tub, sauna, heated enclosed pool and changing facilities. There is wonderful flow throughout the ground floor. The paneled family room opens into the kitchen where there are double doors to the orangery and then double doors to spa and gym.

A grand staircase leads up to a galleried landing. The principal suite sits above the drawing room and offers the same wonderful proportions with triple aspect elevated views out to the surrounding gardens. This handsome bedroom has an adjoining dressing room and luxury bathroom with walk in shower, double sink and free standing bath.

Additionally there are two further generous double bedrooms both with en suite bath/shower room. On this floor there is also a study and an integral one bedroom annexe. The second floor offers a further en suite bedroom and two double bedrooms served by a shower room and separate WC.

Outside, Runfold Manor is accessed via an impressive set of electric wrought iron gates with turning circle and is approached along a private, secluded driveway, which reveals the property as you approach.

There is an integrated double garage and a separate detached garage which provides parking for 3 further cars.

The gardens and grounds are undoubtedly a special feature of the property, surrounding the house on all sides. All are beautifully laid out with established planting and a stunning selection of mature trees including magnificent Lebanon Cedar trees.

The rear garden with generous terrace and formal lawn, enjoys a south facing position and is a fabulously private environment for the family to enjoy or for alfresco entertaining. Further on is a walled garden with formal buxus knot garden with a central sun terrace and gazebo. There is also a tennis court in the grounds.

In all the grounds measure about 3.5 acres.

Location

Runfold Manor is situated in a sought after area of Green Belt between the villages of Seale and The Sands, over looking an AONB. The Sands is a small village on the southern fringes of Farnham with a church, public house, local village hall and is home to Farnham Golf Club. The village is surrounded by glorious countryside.

The nearby Georgian market town of Farnham with its attractive castle is less than two miles away, offering a range of branded and independent shops and supermarkets including Waitrose. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants in the town and on the picturesque Castle St and Lion and Lamb Yard. The town plays host to monthly and seasonal markets and the centrally located Malting Arts Centre offers theatre, film and crafts.

Opening soon is Brightwells Yard, a new shopping centre that will include a cinema, M&S Food, restaurants, town square and public gardens.

There is excellent access via the A31, providing a direct route to London and Portsmouth and, via the M25, easy access to the airports and the national motorway network as well as Heathrow, Gatwick and Southampton Airports. Rail communications are also excellent, with main line stations at Farnham, Ash Vale, Godalming and Guildford offering fast and frequent services into London Waterloo (within an hour).

There are a number of highly regarded state and private schools in the area, including Barfield, Aldro School in Shackleford. Charterhouse and Prior’s Field can be found in Godalming. Edgeborough, Frensham Heights and More House Schools in Frensham with King Edwards and Barrow Hills in Witley. The Royal Grammar School, Lanesborough and Guildford High School are in nearby Guildford.

Sporting facilities nearby include The Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and David Lloyd in Farnham. There is a selection of stunning golf courses which include Puttenham, Hankley Common, Hurtmore and West Surrey in Godalming. There is racing at Goodwood, polo at Cowdray Park and sailing at both Chichester Harbour and nearby Frensham Pond.

This part of Surrey is renowned for its open countryside offering excellent walking and riding opportunities. Of particular note is Puttenham Common, where there are miles of walking, cycling and riding along a number of public foot and bridle paths directly accessible from the property, taking in wonderful Surrey countryside views. In addition, Hankley Common and Frensham Common, both owned by The National Trust, as well as Alice Holt Forest which are all close by to enjoy.

Square Footage: 9,505 sq ft


Acreage: 3.7 Acres

Additional Info

Serves; All mains services. Mains gas central heating. High speed internet. CCTV and ADT monitored alarm.

Guildford Borough Council - Band H