The Denbies House RANMORE COMMON, NEAR DORKING, SURREY
Dorking 2.2 miles • Gatwick International Airport 14 miles Central London 23 miles • Heathrow International Airport 24 miles (All distances are approximate) A prestigious and important residential estate in the Surrey Hills with exceptional views along the North Downs and within 25 miles of central London
A beautifully positioned principal residence with well proportioned accommodation comprising: Reception hall, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 reception rooms, study, 6 ensuite bedrooms, guest/staff suite, cellar Indoor swimming pool complex Leisure complex with squash court, sports hall, gym, games room, changing rooms, kitchen and 2 reception rooms Superbly presented gardens, grounds and lake Walled garden with tennis court 4 Further estate houses and cottages 2 large storage barns with equestrian potential
In all about 58 acres
SAVILLS SAVILLS SAVILLS COUNTRY DEPARTMENT HAYWARDS HEATH COBHAM 33 Margaret Street 8-14 The Broadway 10 High Street London W1G 0JD Haywards Heath RH16 3AH Cobham KT11 3DY Contact: Paul Finnegan Contact: Chris Spofforth Contact: Louis Winterbourne [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] +44 (0) 20 7409 8877 +44 (0) 1444 446 064 +44 (0) 1932 586 200
These particulars are only a guide and must not be relied on as a statement of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of text. SITUATION The Denbies House presents a rare opportunity to acquire a magnificent and historic country estate with a substantial principal house in an attractive countryside setting. Positioned high up on the Surrey Hills, the house benefits from breath-taking, far-reaching views along the Surrey stretch of the North Downs and offers a high degree of seclusion and privacy. The Estate is located near to the traditional and well regarded market town of Dorking, which provides a range of local and regional services. The property is extremely well served by road and rail for access to London and the international airports of Heathrow and Gatwick.
SPORTING & ENTERTAINMENT Beaverbrook Hotel and Spa in Leatherhead (just under 8 miles from The Denbies House), offers sporting and entertainment experiences of the highest calibre, with a 5* Hotel and Spa, fine dining Japanese Grill, cookery school and an 18 hole golf course which opened in 2016. Golf: Wisley, Betchworth and Tyrrells Wood. Slightly further afield but within Surrey are the internationally renowned golf courses of Wentworth and Sunningdale. Horse Racing: Sandown Park, Epsom, Lingfield, Ascot and Goodwood. The RAC Country Club is nearby and the High Ashurst Outdoor Education Centre in Mickleham offers a wide range of pursuits including climbing, abseiling, trail biking and adventure walking amongst others.
EDUCATION Notable private schools include; London Freeman’s, St John’s, Cranleigh, Box Hill, St Teresa’s, Cranmore, Downsend and Christ’s Hospital. State schools include The Ashcombe, The Priory, Reigate Grammar, and St Pauls Primary.
HISTORY Prior to the present owner’s acquisition of The Denbies House, it was purchased in 1850 by Thomas Cubitt whose family originated from Buxton in Norfolk. During the first half of the 19th century, Thomas Cubitt was perhaps the most important builder in London and of notable country houses. In London, he was the creator of Belgravia and parts of Bloomsbury, and was chosen to carry out extensions to Buckingham Palace. Amongst his many notable country projects were Osborne House on the Isle of Wight which he built together with Prince Albert, and Polesden Lacey quite close to the Estate. It was perhaps during the building of Polesden Lacey that he became familiar with the beautiful North Downs countryside of Surrey which, even in those days, had convenient access to London. Twenty-five years after the building of Polesden Lacey, he acquired Denbies from Jonathan Tyers who laid out Vauxhall Gardens. At this time, Denbies was a moderate sized, Regency style house in a superb position, on the summit of a hill, with views across Mickleham, Box Hill, the town of Dorking and beyond to the South Downs.
Thomas Cubitt immediately set about improving Denbies and as well as replacing the Georgian house with a large Victorian mansion very similar to Osborne House; he employed W.A. Nesfield, the landscape architect who laid out St. James’ Park and Buckingham Palace forecourt, to advise him. He planted numerous young conifers of many varieties as well as hardwoods such as Oak, Beech, Chestnut and Lime. Prince Albert visited Denbies in July 1851 and himself planted a number of rare conifers and further advised Cubitt on the landscaping of the Park. The similarity between Osborne and Denbies was such that many people believed the house was designed for the Prince of Wales. However, this was incorrect and Cubitt denied it. Sadly, he was not to enjoy Denbies for long as he died in 1855, mourned by, amongst others, Queen Victoria, who wrote a moving tribute to him. Denbies passed to his eldest son George who was created first Baron Ashcombe in 1892 and he commissioned Gilbert Scott to build the nearby Church of St. Barnabas on Ranmore Common which is today a well known Surrey landmark. Denbies has been the seat of the Cubitt family ever since, but with rising costs, it became so uneconomical to run that the third Lord Ashcombe had it pulled down in the 1950s and converted a Regency style building from part of the original mansion into the present, comfortable, 7-bedroomed house, which was lived in by the last Lord Ashcombe and subsequently, the current vendor. The accommodation for the residential dwellings is shown in greater detail by the floor plans within these particulars.
THE DENBIES HOUSE Converted from an ancillary property to the original mansion, The Denbies House is a substantial dwelling with beautifully proportioned rooms comprising; Reception Hall with sweeping staircase, Drawing room, Dining room, Sitting room, Family room, Study, Kitchen and Utility rooms, Master Bedroom with walk in wardrobe, Dressing room, Boudoir and En-suite Bathroom complete with steam shower. The Master Bedroom opens out on to a large roof terrace with far reaching countryside views. There are 6 additional En-suite Double Bedrooms (one of which is part of the guest accommodation with an additional lounge, kitchenette and roof terrace), Indoor Swimming Pool, Extensive Cellars, Connected Leisure Complex, Tennis Court, Lake and a 5 car Garage. In addition the main house has various outbuildings including a boiler house with potential for conversion into additional accommodation (subject to the usual planning consents) and a large enclosed storage barn (264 sq m / 2830 sq ft). The main house is surrounded by extensive lawns and York stone terracing leading down to the lake, and include an impressive Walled Garden.
THE MAIN HOUSE Approximate Gross Internal Area: House: 1221.0 sq.m. / 13142 sq.ft.
Garage: 86.4 sq.m. / 930 sq.ft.
Second Floor
First Floor
Ground Floor PARKLAND, GARDENS AND GROUNDS Beautifully landscaped and maintained by the current owners, the gardens and park-like grounds are a particular feature of the estate. There are extensive lawned areas, banks of rhododendrons and herbaceous borders affording a wealth of colour throughout the seasons. The gardens have been designed to make the most of the far-reaching views. York stone terracing leads down to the impressive lake and fountain with exceptional views along the North Downs beyond. An impressive walled garden lies to the west of the main house, which contains a large kitchen garden, greenhouses and potting sheds, as well as the tennis court.
THE LEISURE COMPLEX Across a courtyard from the main house or accessed via the underground tunnel, the Leisure Complex provides excellent sports facilities including; Squash Court, Sports Hall and Badminton Court, Snooker room, Games room, Fitness gym and Sauna. There are good changing room facilities and a kitchen. CELLARS, LEISURE COMPLEX & STABLE COTTAGE Approximate Gross Internal Area:
Stable Cottage: 150.4 sq.m. / 1618 sq.ft.
Leisure Complex: 537.8 sq.m. / 5788 sq.ft.
Stable Cottage EPC
First Floor
Lower Ground Floor
Ground Floor
STABLE COTTAGE A beautifully presented and well proportioned cottage with 2 Reception Rooms, Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms and 2 En-suite Bathrooms. There is a pretty Walled Garden, which offers a high degree of privacy. Planning consent has been granted to extend the Kitchen. ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION & ANCILLIARY BUILDINGS ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION Approximate Gross Internal Area:
DENBIES COURT Denbies Court: 187.0 sq.m. / 2012 sq.ft. Built by the current owner in the mid 1980s, Denbies Court is a well designed spacious bungalow with accommodation North Lodge: 83.3 sq.m. / 896 sq.ft. comprising; Entrance Hall and Cloakroom, Dining Room, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Utility Room, Master En-suite Bedroom, Applebee: 54.6 sq.m. / 587 sq.ft. 2 further Double Bedrooms, family Bathroom and Study/4th Bedroom. There is a Double Garage and gardens surround Boiler Building: 77.9 sq.m. / 838 sq.ft. the property, from which there is a lovely outlook towards (Excluding Garages) St Barnabas Church. Denbies Court has recently been refurbished.
NORTH LODGE A classic Victorian gate lodge with accommodation briefly comprising an Entrance Hall, double aspect Sitting room with open fireplace, Dining room/ Bedroom, Fitted Kitchen, Double Bedroom and Bathroom. Outside, North Lodge has the benefit of a Garden and Detached Garage.
APPLEBEE Applebee is a sensitively converted former apple store providing excellent ancillary or staff accommodation with a Reception Room, Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom.
STORAGE BARN An additional large barn (400 sq m / 4320 sq ft) provides ample storage space for machinery, stock or perhaps vintage cars and the like. Mains water and electricity is supplied to the barn. ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION & ANCILLIARY BUILDINGS Approximate Gross Internal Area: BOILER BUILDING Denbies Court: 187.0 sq.m. / 2012 sq.ft.
North Lodge: 83.3 sq.m. / 896 sq.ft.
Applebee: 54.6 sq.m. / 587 sq.ft.
Boiler Building: 77.9 sq.m. / 838 sq.ft. (Excluding Garages)
DENBIES COURT NORTH LODGE
APPLEBEE
Denbies Court EPC North Lodge EPC Applebee EPC GENERAL REMARKS & STIPULATIONS TENURE & POSSESSION The Denbies House is offered for sale with vacant possession on completion, subject to the current tenancies over the relevant properties. The principal house will be sold with vacant possession. Denbies Court, North Lodge, Applbee and Stable Cottage are all let on Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements (at the point of the brochure production).
SERVICES • Water: All residential properties are supplied with mains water. • Drainage: All residential properties are on private drainage systems. • Electricity: All residential properties are supplied with mains electricity. • Heating: All residential dwellings have separate oil-fired central heating systems with the exception of North Lodge which is LPG.
WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF WAY The property is offered for sale subject to and with benefit of all rights of way either public or private, all easements and wayleaves, whether specifically mentioned or not. There are no public rights of way over the Estate.
DESIGNATIONS AND PLANNING The Denbies House falls within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.
EMPLOYEES AND TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS - PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT (TUPE) The Denbies House does not employ any staff and as such, TUPE regulations will not apply.
ANNUAL COUNCIL TAX BANDING • The Denbies House & Applebee Band H • Denbies Court Band G • Stable Cottage Band E • North Lodge Band E
LOCAL AUTHORITIES (SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL) Mole Valley District Council Pippbrook, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ Tel: +44 (0) 1306 885001 Email: [email protected]
DIRECTIONS (RH5 6SP) From the M25 exit at Junction 9 and join the A24, Leatherhead By Pass Road. Continue straight on the A24 through five small roundabouts. Soon after, turn right off London Road onto the A2003/ Ashcombe Road signed to Dorking. At the roundabout, take the second exit on to Ranmore Road, signed to Ranmore Common. Proceed until the road merges and becomes Ranmore Common Road at which point turn right on to Ranmore Common Road and shortly afterpassing the Church IMPORTANT NOTICE: Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that: 1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties on the right, a private, gated drive will be found on the right. in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract VIEWINGS and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. Strictly by appointment via Savills. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. 19/05/20 GC. Particulars dated February 2020. Photos dated Spring/Summer 2013. Kingfisher Print and Design Ltd. 01803 867087.