An enchanting Surrey house set in 10 acres of delightful gardens on National Trust land
Chapel House, on the edge of the village of Westhumble, stands opposite the ruined 13th-century chapel from which it takes its name. Penny Churchill reports.


The enchanting Chapel House stands in National Trust land on the edge of the village of Westhumble, two miles from Dorking and close to Box Hill within the Surrey Hills AONB. It is newly listed for sale through the Cobham office of Knight Frank (01932 591602) at a guide price of £3m.
The house offers more than 4,500sq ft of charming, light-filled living space, including four reception rooms, a kitchen, family room, seven bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Chapel House, or Chapel Croft as it was previously known, stands opposite the ruined 13th-century chapel once owned by the canons of Merton, from which it takes its name.
Although its exact date of construction is not known, Chapel House is thought to have been built in the late 1850s as part of the modernisation of the Denbies estate, which was acquired by Thomas Cubitt in 1850. In any event, a watercolour dated 1869 shows the house clearly and firmly entrenched in its setting.
Although not only a master builder, but often his own architect, Cubitt established himself as the most important builder in London in the first half of the 19th century. His many notable country projects included Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, which he built in conjunction with Prince Albert in 1845–51.
Between 1821 and 1823, Cubitt built a brand new country house for Joseph Bonsor on the Polesden Lacey estate at Great Bookham, near Dorking, during which time he became familiar with the beautiful North Downs countryside. Some 25 years later, he bought the nearby Denbies estate, where he died, aged 67, in 1855.
Set well back from a country lane and surrounded by more than 10 acres of delightful gardens, grounds and woodland, Chapel House enjoys a high level of privacy and seclusion, within easy reach of all necessary amenities and communications.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Chapel House is listed with Knight Frank for a guide price of £3m
An immaculate and irresistibly pretty 16th century house for sale in one of the prettiest villages in Bedfordshire
The Old House in Aspley Guise is a delightful 16th century home in one of the prettiest villages in Bedfordshire.
An exquisite Queen Anne country house that comes complete with three immaculate cottages
A light-filled home that's cosy and grand in equal measure within — and comes with a string of cottages that can
A Cornish home with glorious panoramic views stretching from Trenow Cove to St Michael’s Mount
-
You’ve got to have a lot of balls: Wimbledon by numbers
How many strawberries are consumed, how many petunias purchased and just how much racket string is required at the world’s oldest tennis championships? Lotte Brundle serves up the numbers.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
Chatsworth's winning £4 million Lottery ticket means it can restore beloved water feature
The Chatsworth House Trust will use the money from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore their Cascade — beloved by Alan Titchmarsh.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
Embrace off-grid living on this Scottish island for sale, but you'll have to share it with the local seal population
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come up for sale.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published
-
826 years of history, painstaking restoration and 'a garden like no other' at this former National Trust house which has come to the market in Kent
A blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London today
Deodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
By James Fisher Published
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Save me: A castle on the Isle of Wight designed by James Wyatt is up for sale
Norris Castle Estate also comes with 225 acres of gardens and grounds, and needs a little TLC
By James Fisher Published
-
The 1,800-acre estate of the man who bought Stonehenge has come up for sale at £25 million
The Bapton Manor Estate, in the beautiful Cranborne Chase National Landscape, seeks a new owner. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published