Taplow £599,950

Designed by Edward Lutyens, this refurbished two-bedroom contemporary penthouse apartment is located within the Grade II Listed former home of Russian Royalty. Nashdom Abbey is set in 17 acres (STMS) of communal formal grounds and woodland with shared use of a heated outdoor pool, gym and tennis court.
The Story
Whether at home in his apartment or relaxing in the 17-acre parkland grounds, the owner of the apartment can unwind and enjoy a little quiet time at Nashdom Abbey.
The house and formal gardens were built from 1905 by Edwin Lutyens for the Russian Prince Dolgorouki.
The property was originally intended as a large house for entertaining but it was purchased in 1929 by the Anglican Order of Benedictine Monks and became known as Nashdom Abbey. It was then converted into luxury apartments in 1997.
The whole place is just fantastic, said the owner. From the minute I entered the driveway I knew I had to live here.
It is so peaceful and I feel like I can really escape from everything.
TIMELESS STYLE
He was one of the first to move into the new apartments, and after living there for a few years, he decided to completely re-design it. So he hired French interior designer Vincent Dufour, who gave the apartment a contemporary style makeover.
When I moved in, the apartment had been decorated in a period style, but I decided I wanted something more modern, he said.
I like the feel of modern hotels with marble flooring and wet rooms, so I basically left Vincent to do his magic.
While the exterior of Nashdom Abbey enjoys a grand Neo-Regency style, the interior of the apartment boasts neutral tones, clean lines, lots of space and light, as well as mod cons to make life that little bit easier.
I wanted something contemporary, but I also wanted it to have a timeless feel so that it won’t date too quickly – so I haven’t gone too state-of-the-art, he explained.
ARTISTIC FINISH
The impressive drawing room, which has three large windows from which to enjoy views of the parkland, is spacious and comfortable, and has been finished off with an eye-catching piece of original artwork commissioned by the owner.
I love the drawing room, he said. I like nothing better than to relax on the sofa and enjoy some peace and quiet.
The streamlined, Italian-influenced kitchen is divided from the drawing room by a granite kitchen bar with stools, and the soft grey and white colour scheme flows into this room with matching cabinets and integral AEG appliances. LED lighting creates the right ambience throughout the apartment.
SPA INDULGENCES
This flow makes the layout superb for parties.
I personally don’t do a lot of entertaining here, but the open plan style of the apartment really lends itself to that, he said. The kitchen bar and stools make a great gathering place.
The beautifully styled bathroom fits the owner’s criteria perfectly and, with its marble tiling and white bath, embodies all the qualities expected from a spa hotel.
REST AND RELAXATION
The communal areas of Nashdom Abbey are both sophisticated and elegant, harking back to grander times through the eye-catching black and white tiled flooring in the entrance hall along with all the potted palms. There is a special waiting area for visitors and the apartment benefits from its own security system.
Outside, the stunning grounds are maintained to a high level and the landscaped gardens are both lush and ornate featuring ornamental fountains and beautiful blooms.
Residents can take a dip in the heated outside swimming pool or simply sun themselves around it. The leisure complex also has its own gymnasium and there is an outdoor tennis court for the more energetic.
There is even a communal barbecue area close to the swimming pool, which residents can use if they want to, he added.
FOOD LOVERS FAVOURITE
Situated just three minutes’ drive away from the centre of Burnham, the area is well known for its wealth of top class restaurants and eateries.
Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant and Alain Roux’s Waterside Inn, both at Bray, are just a short distance away as are a number of other fine restaurants, he said.
And he added: I will miss the apartment because it has quite simply been a superb place to live.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Enjoying an elevated position, Nashdom Abbey is a majestic building which incorporates white walls and columns in a Neo-Regency style. Breathtakingly beautiful, the property was commissioned by the Russian Prince and Princess Alexis Dolgorouki and designed by Edward Lutyens. His aim was to create a weekend house for entertaining in a luxurious setting. He succeeded by creating Nashdom – Russian for ‘our home’. In 1929 the house was purchased by the Anglican Order of Benedictine Monks and became Nashdom Abbey. In 1997 the monastery was sold and then carefully converted into luxury residential apartments and cottages, each a little different and retaining the beauty and style of the original house whilst maximising the privacy, security and communal areas.
Entering via double wooden doors a sweeping stone staircase ascends towards Number 11. Additionally there is a lift to the second floor but this would not allow you to enjoy the striking original architecture or to gaze out of the windows in the hall and catch a glimpse of the stone waterfall set within the courtyard. On the first floor there is a stylish communal reception area with sofas and a stove – an ideal waiting area for visitors. Continuing up the stairs you arrive at a galleried landing with access to the apartment. Number 11 was the former show apartment and has recently been redesigned and refurbished throughout swapping its ‘period style’ interior for a more contemporary feel. Working with interior designer Vincent Dufour, and with specially commissioned artwork, its new look was created to encompass the light and openness of the apartment.
Vincent incorporated striking high-gloss cappuccino shades of Italian cabinetry within the kitchen which blend beautifully with the slate floors and granite work surfaces offering a plethora of storage and integrated appliances. The drawing room flows seamlessly from the kitchen/breakfast area and is bathed in light, while a striking rectangular flame fireplace is set within one wall and provides a warm central focal point. The bow windows, with their original bi-folding shutters, frame lovely views of the grounds beneath and the ‘mood’ lighting creates a wonderful ambience in the evenings when you can zone your areas in blue LEDs or mute with dimmers.
Moving on to the sleeping accommodation, the master suite has generous proportions with a high ceiling that serves to heighten the sense of space. The double aspect windows fill the room with natural light and there are built-in, solid walnut wardrobes complemented with turquoise, silver and grey furnishings and further storage. The en-suite wet room has been designed using cream and caramel hued mosaics with under-floor heating, floating sanitary ware and an anti-mist mirror.
No expense was spared on creating the family bathroom which has been fitted with a Punto Tre Italian glass moulded sink and floating curved storage drawers in cream. Blue LED lights have been embedded in the bath and hidden within the cream ceramic wall tiles, creating the perfect room for relaxation. There is also under-floor heating.
A second bedroom completes the apartment.
Setting the Scene
Nashdom Abbey is situated within 17 acres (STMS) of communal formal grounds and is approached by a long driveway surrounded by woodland.
The impressive house was built in Neo-Regency style and is a symmetrical building built of brick and comprising a single storey entrance bay and two flanking bays. The entrance bay has a portico with Tuscan columns and piers.
In the extensive grounds of the house, there is a gatehouse and at the north-east corner an L-shaped stable block. There is also a small burial ground created by the Benedictine Monks.
Manicured lawns flank the house and terraces surround the outdoor swimming pool where there is also a shared barbecue area. Alternatively, you can enjoy the scented rose garden enveloped within box hedges in a Victorian-style maze. Bordered on three sides by white-washed walls, it offers the perfect place to enjoy early evening drinks with guests. The apartments also benefit from a communal gymnasium with shower and cloakroom, a recently fitted kitchen (especially useful for entertaining) and a superb tennis court. Number 11 also has a private garage and two further parking spaces.
A full-time estate manager works five days a week and oversees the smooth running of this impressive building.
Within easy Reach
The apartment is equally convenient for the A4, M4, A40 and M40 roads, while Heathrow Airport is just 15 minutes away. (All times are approximate).
For Michelin-starred, fine dining the village of Bray is close by and there are a number of local attractions to visit from Windsor Castle to Legoland.
Buckinghamshire is also renowned for its traditional state grammar schools and there are several private schools in the area.
DIRECTIONS:
Take the M4 heading west and exit at junction 7 (signposted The West Reading, Slough). Continue forward onto the M4 Spur. At the roundabout take the first exit onto the A4 (signposted Maidenhead) and at the next roundabout take the third exit onto Lent Rise Road (signposted Burnham). At the mini roundabout continue forward onto Lent Rise Road, bear left onto Taplow Common Road and after approximately 1 mile turn right into Nashdom Lane.
For those with satellite navigation the post code for the property is SL1 8NJ.
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