Digs at the former Royal Masonic School for Boys at Bushey, on the outskirts of Harrow, have surely improved since noisy pupils were careering around and even since the striking neo-Gothic building was regularly used as a film set, from Nuns on the Run and Lucky Jim to Monty Python’s Flying Circus and three ‘Harry Potter’ films.
Dilapidated at the turn of this century, the building and its 100-acre site have been sensitively transformed by Comer Homes, which has even established a stonemason’s workshop on site, using Bath stone to repair the hand-carved staircase, Gothic window arches, fireplaces and so on.
Designed by Scottish architects Gordon & Gunton, the sprawling building was created for the Royal Masonic school for Boys to move into from their former residence in Wood Green.
In 1903, the foundation stone was laid by Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught — third son of Queen Victoria — and by 1939, there were over 800 pupils in attendance. However, by the late 1970’s, after a few years of low attendance, the school closed and assumed the new role as the home of the Unites States International University.
Throughout the 80’s and 90’s, the now named Royal Connaught Park was used in several noteworthy TV and film productions — and, according to local reports — as the Great Hall in the first few Harry Potter films.
Renamed Royal Connaught Park, it now contains 300 residences — ‘the epitome of contemporary luxury in perfect harmony with Victorian splendour’ — starting at £610,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Bushey: What you need to know
Location: Bushey is located between Watford and Stanmore, and is just a 25 minute train journey into Central London from Bushey Mainline station. The Jubilee Line also runs from Stanmore to the West End.
Atmosphere: The highly-sought after location has excellent shopping and leisure facilities in Bushey Heath and Bushey Village.
Things to do: Enjoy the residents leisure facilities, including a gym pool tennis club and 100 acres of parkland. Watford's Atria shopping centre is closeby, offering extensive restaurants, a bowling alley and cinema and Central London easily reached for theatres, museums and nightlife.
Schools: St Margaret's Girls School, Bushey Heath Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic School are all well-regarded in the area.
See more property for sale in the area.
-
‘To this day, it is as attractive as when Hercules first laid eyes on it’: How to escape the crowds on the Amalfi Coast, according to those in the knowThe Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famed holiday destinations, but, in recent years, mass tourism has made parts of it unbearable. Here’s our guide to making the most of it — in peace and in style.
-
The garden created by a forgotten genius of the 1920s, rescued from 'a sorry state of neglect to a level of quality it has not known for over 50 years'George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design at Knowle House, East Sussex, has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting. George Plumptre tells more; photography by Clive Nichols.
-
A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family homeHadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every windowPenny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
-
The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new ownerIn the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countrysideHartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in CornwallThe Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its historyIn the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston MartinA new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
-
The Mediterranean Magic of MaltaWith historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
