Wining and dining with a view: is this the best kitchen on the property market?
The only downside to this four-bedroom architectural masterpiece near Smallfield in Surrey is that everyone will always want to come round.


The kitchen is the heart of most homes, at least modern ones. Anyone who has ever been to a house party (and I’m going to assume pretty much everyone reading this has been to a house party) knows that the kitchen is where the fun is. That’s why, these days, it’s important to have a nice one, and why the open-plan layout is so popular.
We see a lot of nice, modern, open-plan kitchens here at the Country Life Online Property Desk. I struggle to think of many that are better than the one at this property on Broadbridge Lane in Surrey, which is for sale with Savills for £1.5 million.
Massive and spacious? Check. A bespoke Leicht kitchen with an island? Check. Floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over a lake, also with its own island? Check.
On first glance, this property might not look like much (we say that relatively, please don’t yell at me). But it boasts four bedrooms in total, including a principal bedroom suite featuring triple-aspect views, private seating area and walk-in wardrobe.
It also comes with 4.8 acres of gardens and grounds, the focal point of which is the beautiful lake. It's also ruthlessly energy efficient to boot.
The design of the building is clever, as its above-ground presence is restricted to the thatched pavilion and more modern extension (in which you will find the kitchen/dining/sitting room). The majority of the bedrooms are in the basement — but each still offers access to the gardens.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the property also offers a gym and an outdoor heated swimming pool. In total, living space extends to some 3,500sq ft, all designed to contemporary excellence. The lake is also full of fish, should you want to catch those.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Set in the civil parish of Burstow, east of Horley, amenities within a mile of the property include a shop and post office, while there are four pubs nearby. Perfection.
But don't take our word for it. 'This is an exceptional architect-designed home in a glorious countryside location,' says Steven Stokes, head of Savills Reigate. 'With its incredibly impressive kitchen/sitting /dining room overlooking the property’s own private lake, this is perhaps the ultimate entertaining house offering fantastic views and plenty of living space inside and out, as the home sits in 4.8 acres.'
'The location offers the best of both worlds; a semi-rural setting in a Surrey village yet extremely accessible to local towns as well as key motorway and rail networks.'
Eastern promises: The best places to live east of London, from Diss and Dedham to Newmarket and Newport
Liz Rowlinson takes a tour of popular East Anglian towns and villages.
James Fisher is the Deputy Digital Editor of Country Life. He writes about property, travel, motoring and things that upset him. He lives in London.
-
LAPICIDA — Tile & Stone Specialist
Lapicida is a world-class specialist in luxury surfaces.
By Country Life Published
-
What lies beneath: The weird and wonderful things lurking in Britain's museum basements
From radioactive rocks to great white sharks, and a dolphin called Boris, the things stored in Britain's museum basements make the mind boggle — and now plans are afoot to improve visitor access.
By Deborah Nicholls-Lee Published
-
A converted bothy on the shores of Loch Tay from which to enjoy the fresh tastes of Spring
Waterfall Cottage offers four bedrooms and a garden that stretches right down to the lapping waters.
By James Fisher Published
-
An idyllic home in Hampshire that's perfect for the musical mind
Lyewood House sits in 3.5 acres and comes with a purpose built recording studio and an outdoor heated pool.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National Park
Old House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
From a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
By Toby Keel Published
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool
5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
By James Fisher Published
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in Dorset
With 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventure
The interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of Pembrokeshire
A lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
By James Fisher Published