Grasslands, Woldingham, Surrey

Built in 1929, this wonderful Arts and Crafts-style five-bedroom house is surrounded by an acre and a half of beautifully landscaped gardens. It sits on the outskirts of Woldingham, Surrey, a pretty village that occupies a secluded spot in the rolling hills of the North Downs. A palette of soft neutrals defines the interior, which is bathed in natural light from windows along every aspect.

The Tour

The house sits behind a neat lawn sheltered by hedgerows and tall, mature trees. A generous driveway sits to one side, with paving that guides towards the entrance. The front door sits underneath a terracotta arch and leads to a bright lobby, with a grand staircase to one side and a guest WC ahead. Underneath a hatch in the floor is a stone spiral staircase that descends to a concealed wine cellar.

The interior is peppered with well-preserved original features, subtly highlighted by white-washed walls and oak floorboards. Two well-proportioned reception rooms sit on either side, both with large casement windows that look towards the south-facing front garden. Golden shards of light pour through, imbuing these areas with a serene atmosphere. The larger living area is dual-aspect with double doors that open onto the luscious rear garden and swimming pool beyond.

The main kitchen and dining spaces sit centrally and extend towards the west wing of the house. Bespoke, shaker-style kitchen cabinetry by Mark Wilkinson has been painted off-white and is topped with contrasting black granite tops. An Aga sits neatly in the centre.

The dining room lies adjacent. Double doors lead into the garden, allowing the space to seamlessly interact with the surrounding landscape. From here is a snug and a separate office that would also make a wonderful gym, guest bedroom or playroom. A staircase ascends to a loft bedroom with plenty of built-in storage and an en suite bathroom.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor. A neutral palette continues here with slim, lime-washed floorboards or textured sisal carpet underfoot. Two of the bathrooms have en suites, while the others are served by a sizeable family bathroom finished with pale marble tiles and gleaming chrome fixtures.

A detached garage provides a generous provision of parking and is tucked away on the side of the driveway.

Outdoor Space

Surrounded by mature woodland, the expansive gardens have been exquisitely tended to. A large lawned area is surrounded by large, established trees that filter dappled light through their large canopies.

In the rear garden, there is a smart paved area edged with box hedges and an arch which leads through to a swimming pool. Reminiscent of East Hampton, a shutterboard pool house built in the 1920s provides a shady spot to enjoy the outdoors during the height of summer.

The Area

Woldingham is a pretty, sought-after village that has excellent transport links to London. Known for its picturesque surroundings, it has an active sense of community with a handy shop and post office, as well as a saddlery repair and servicing shop that hints at one of the village's more popular pastimes.

There’s an abundance of beautiful walks and landscapes to explore. Marden Park is an ancient woodland and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that blooms with bluebells, wooden ravines and conifers. The bucolic surroundings also play host to a range of golf clubs, including North Downs and Surrey National Club. Down House, the home of Charles Darwin, is an English Heritage site and only a 16-minute drive.

There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the area that have wonderful views of the countryside and are a short trip away; The Botley Hill Farmhouse is a particular highlight on a walk from the historic Titsey Estate. The White Bear dates to the 16th century and is also close by.

There are several excellent schooling options, from the well-regarded independent Woldingham School to Woodlea Primary School which has a "Good" rating from Ofsted. Oxted Secondary School is a five-minute drive away from the house.

Well positioned for transport links, trains from Woldingham Station run directly to London Victoria in around 35 minutes. A change at East Croydon takes to multiple other central London stations. The M25 is only 4 miles away, providing links to the national motorways.

Council Tax Band: H