An idyllic country home and grounds designed by one of Britain's greatest-ever gardeners
Gertrude Jekyll's vision shaped the landscape around this superb Surrey Hills home. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
It's not often we start talking about a house by talking about the gardens — but in the case of Hangerfield, we're doing just that.
Built in 1888, Hangerfield sits in eight acres of pasture and beautifully maintained historic gardens that are believed to have been designed by one of the all-time greats of gardening: Gertrude Jekyll, England’s most celebrated plantswoman, who lived at nearby Munstead Wood, Godalming.
The house sits in a wonderful spot within the Surrey Hills National Landscape, which spans the county from east to west. This is distinctive terrain of chalk hills and wooded combes that stretches from the Hog’s Back near Guildford to the Kent border, and good properties here are always sought after. James Machell of Strutt & Parker quotes a guide price of £4 million for this classic late-Victorian home.
The house stands on the edge of the village and offers 7,844sq ft of light-filled, flexible accommodation on four floors, including six reception rooms, seven bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Highlights include a grand reception hall with a part-galleried oak stair-case; a drawing room with two fireplaces, window seating and panoramic views over the surrounding landscape; a study with folding doors leading to an elegant dining room; and an impeccably designed kitchen/breakfast room.
The lower ground floor houses a family room with French doors that lead to the terrace, a sitting room/gym, a shower room and wood store.
Outside, the grounds offer a variety of seating and lawned areas, well-stocked flower and shrub borders, specimen trees and a bluebell wood.
Leisure amenities include stabling, a tennis court, swimming pool and stone-paved terraces — ideal for lazy outdoor dining and enjoying the spectacular views over the Surrey hills.
Hangerfield's location is as practical as it is beautiful. It sits in Church Lane, Witley, a thriving village situated 3½ miles south-west of the Saxon town of Godalming, and nine miles south-west of the county town and commuter hub of Guildford. What's more, Witley has its own station, with direct trains to London Waterloo taking less than an hour.
For sale through Strutt & Parker — see more details.
