At the northern end of the county of Surrey, on the east Berkshire border, stands Windsor Great Park, a 4,800-acre landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens. It is part of the Windsor estate and acts as a large rural lung for those living within its proximity.
In a relatively built-up part of the world with easy access to the capital, it's no surprise that many people are keen to live close to this huge expanse of rolling countryside.
Generally speaking, however, the choice of houses consists of a steady supply of large new-build or late-20th-century houses that dominate the area.
Every so often, however, a historic property comes to the market. This is the case with the dolls’-house-handsome, Grade II-listed The Gate House in Englefield Green, which is on the market with Strutt & Parker in Windsor at £3.95m.
How close is it to this treasured green space? Well, part of the property is literally in the park itself: the standout feature is the fact that the western section of the gardens is held on a Crown lease and enjoys direct access to Windsor Great Park via a private gate. The new owners will be able to walk, cycle and ride (subject to obtaining the necessary permit) through the glorious parkland.
The Gate House is believed to date from the early 19th century and features Flemish-bond brickwork and large, characterful sash windows.
The five-bedroom house (the sixth room is currently used as a study) is laid out over three floors and comes to the market in excellent interior condition.
The kitchen, which is to the rear and looks out over the gardens, is designed by Plain English and centred around a four-oven Aga.
‘The gardens are particularly noteworthy,’ observes selling agent Jo Chadwick. ‘They have been designed and landscaped to create a secluded sanctuary with a series of linked outdoor rooms.’
The Gate House in Englefield Green is on the market with Strutt & Parker in Windsor at £3.95m — see more details and pictures.
World exclusive: Inside Windsor Castle, by kind permission of the Sovereign
As the new reign begins, John Martin Robinson takes an exclusive look at Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of
From Windsor Castle and the Reform Club to the house where Ghosts is filmed: Country Life's best architecture stories of 2023
We take a look back at a wonderful year of architecture articles in Country Life, including an astonishing look inside
Sir John Major on King Charles III: 'The King was so far ahead of received wisdom that he had to wait for it to catch up'
Ahead of the curve, diligent and gifted with an empathy that allows him to connect with all people, Charles III
-
Classical style meets fun and flair in a seven-bedroom manor in CornwallAt Polstrong Manor, the current owners have combined period charm and elegant modern interiors to create a flamboyant country home 10-minutes from the beach.
-
Two halves make a sublime four-bedroom home in Kent's North DownsA contemporary extension to a traditional clapboard house brings light and life to Lavington House.
-
The week in property statistics: Service charges reach record highPlus, how first-time buyers prop up the mortgage market, why you need to move north if you want to live by yourself, and house-price growth slows
-
A seven-bedroom oast house for sale in East Sussex, where your dreams can run riotUnlisted, yet full of character, this property in the High Weald National Landscape is an eccentrically furnished family home that screams fun.
-
Character, history and comfort combine in a four-bedroom farmhouse in NorfolkWillow Farm near Southburgh is that rarest of things — a perfect combination of period charm and modern elegance in some of England's best countryside.
-
A Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse that's part of the fabric of Bath's historyWith 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
-
17 delightful homes for sale, as seen in Country LifeOur round-up of some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life this week includes a wonderful Cotswolds home and a happily affordable cottage in the West Country.
-
'This is the most money you'll spend on anything ever': The things that really matter when buying your first home in LondonIt’s easy to dream of what the ideal first-home in London might be, but when the cost of living in the capital is this expensive, being near a Gail's isn't as important as you think it is.
