Holloway Drive, VIRGINIA WATER

THE STORY

When the owners of the house on Connolly Court first visited Virginia Park, they knew they had found somewhere truly unique. The four-bedroom house they were viewing was set within the highly desirable, leafy development and provided space, seclusion and tranquil living. “We knew this would be a wonderful place to live because it was gated, with 24-hour security, and offered exceptional privacy – yet, at the same time, there was a sense of community here,” one of them explains. “The house itself offered superb living space, as well as a beautiful, south-facing garden that was not overlooked. It really was quite unlike anywhere else and we knew we would be very happy here.”

A SPECIAL PLACE

Nestled within Virginia Water, in Surrey, the semi-detached townhouse is one of the carefully designed properties that was created on the site of the former Holloway Sanatorium. Built in1877 by Thomas Holloway, a medicine manufacturer, as a hospital for wealthy people, the buildings were transformed into residences by Octagon in the 1990s. Many of the architectural details on the original buildings were preserved, ensuring the site as a whole still retained its Victorian grandeur. The sanatorium’s former chapel was converted into a sports hall and the original dining room, which still has a series of ornate hand-carved beams, now houses a communal swimming pool, gym and leisure area. The Great Hall, used for private events, retains its period, stained-glass windows and hand-decorated walls and ceilings. “It is also wonderful living somewhere with a children’s playground, regular activities, such as gym and pilates, and an amazing estate manager who oversees the running of everything,” she adds.

EXTRA TOUCHES

The attractive townhouse, which has a garage and off-road parking to the front, encompasses accommodation over two storeys. “Since moving in back in September 2014, we have carried out improvement work,” she says. “This has included installing UPVC windows and doors and having a composite decking created out in the garden,” she says. “I also renovated the en suite bathroom to the master bedroom, adding underfloor heating, had new LED lighting installed throughout the house and redecorated. The kitchen is the room that was finished most recently and it looks lovely.”

INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING

With wooden floors in the sitting room and hall, and tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, the property has a fresh, airy appeal throughout. It is entered via a central reception hall with access to a ground-floor cloakroom and double doors into the capacious sitting room and kitchen breakfast room. “The sitting room is a lovely, large room, with ample space for two sofas. It has windows on two sides that bring the light flooding in,” she observes. “It also has French windows out on to the deck and in the summer we keep these open so the garden becomes like an extension to the house.”

FAMILY HOME

The kitchen, which leads to a utility room, is also a good size and has plenty of room for food storage and preparation, as well as a dining table and chairs. “We were here with three teenage children who grew into young adults and there was always space for everyone,” she says. “The layout of this house is also ideal for entertaining, especially in the summer months when everyone can wander out into the garden.” The garage, which has a window, adjoins the property on the kitchen side and could (subject to the relevant planning permissions) be converted into additional living space, she suggests.

LIGHT FANTASTIC

All four bedrooms are up on the first floor of the house. The magnificent master suite, with its en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, sits at the back, where it has a dual aspect and overlooks the garden. “This is a wonderfully light bedroom, which offers a huge amount of space,” she agrees. The first guest room also has an en suite bathroom, while the other two bedrooms share the family bathroom. “Living here has been fantastic,” she admits. “In addition to all the space in the house and garden, and all the benefits of being on Virginia Park, we are also well located for Heathrow Airport and just three minutes’ walk from the station, with its trains into London Waterloo.” She adds: “I will miss all of this when I leave, as well as my beautiful garden and being so close to Windsor Great Park. This has been such an incredible place to live.”

SETTING THE SCENE

To the front of the house at Connolly Court, there is off-road parking for two cars and access to the garage. To the rear, the property opens up to a very private garden, with a low-maintenance, composite deck for outside dining, entertaining and relaxation.

AGENTS NOTE

BAND G

Runnymede Borough Council.

WITHIN EASY REACH

Virginia Park offers impressive communal facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, a sports hall, a gymnasium, tennis courts, a function room and communal gardens. It is located in the heart of Virginia Water, just moments from the shops, cafes, local amenities and the mainline station offering easy access into London Waterloo. Surrey and Berkshire are renowned for their high standard of education, with the area being served by a good number of state and independent schools catering for boys and girls of all ages, including Sir William perkins, Heathfield, LVS, Papplewick, St George's, St Mary's, Sunningdale and The Marist.

Disclaimer

Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.