A spectacular renovation opportunity in Surrey with romantic sweeping gardens and a magical stilted tree house
Buyers looking for a project will be delighted to stumble across Drummond House and the opportunity it presents to create a really special home surrounded by mesmerising gardens.
In the village of Charlwood near Horley, Drummond House — currently on the market via Knight Frank at a guide price of £2.5 million — provides a unique opportunity in that the vendors are already halfway through renovations and planning permission for a significant extension and remodel is in place, including heat pumps and solar panels, not to mention a new pool house next to the existing swimming pool.
 
The task in hand is by no means small: rooms have been gutted and the debris is currently piled up in the garden.
However, it doesn't take a trained eye to see the potential that this house has, and a transformation into something really special seems easily attainable — budget permitting, of course.
 
Once complete, it will be a handsome and sizeable family home, with five bedrooms and five reception rooms on four acres of sweeping lawns, specimen trees and a pond with a fantastic tree house.
 
The romantic gardens and surrounding landscape are already breathtaking. Willow trees stoop over the lawn and the pièce de résistance is without a doubt the magnificent stilted tree house that stands over the large pond.
 
Then there's that outdoor pool, in a beautiful setting, and the views. This is an already special property that is half way through its journey into becoming a sensational home.
 
Drummond House is currently on the market via Knight Frank at a guide price of £2.5 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
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Norwood Hill: What you need to know
Location: The rural hamlet is located in-between Dorking, Reigate (approximately 6.7 miles) and Horsham (approximately 11 miles). Central London is just over 30 miles and trains run into London from Norwood Hill station via the Gatwick express and from Redhill station. London Gatwick airport is less than five miles away and Heathrow is 32 miles.
Atmosphere: The quiet hamlet enjoys a peaceful, rural atmosphere whilst benefiting from excellent transport links into the capital and further.
Things to do: The nearby towns of Dorking, Horsham and Reigate provide excellent shopping and recreational facilities. A range of sporting facilities can also be found in the surrounding area and further afield with racing at Brighton, polo at Cowdray Park, golf in Dorking and for sailing and water sports, head to Chichester or Brighton.
Schools: Downsend School, Reigate Valley College (rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted), Charlwood Village Primary School, Reigate Grammar School, St Bede's School and Epsom College are amongst the vast list of schools in the area.
See more property for sale in the area.
 
Credit: Strutt and Parker
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Annunciata is director of contemporary art gallery TIN MAN ART and an award-winning journalist specialising in art, culture and property. Previously, she was Country Life’s News & Property Editor. Before that, she worked at The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, researched for a historical biographer and co-founded a literary, art and music festival in Oxfordshire. Lancashire-born, she lives in Hampshire with a husband, two daughters and a mischievous pug.
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