Beech House

Enjoying an idyllic setting and dating back to circa 1910, Beech House is believed to have started life as a nursing home for the Benefit Nursing Association. In later years, it was renamed Beech House in honour of a magnificent Beech Tree in its grounds, thought to have been planted by Admiral Lord Nelson. The gardens and grounds are a key feature and include a private spring-fed lake that adds an attractive amenity element to the property, with opportunities for coarse fishing and boating. At one with its surroundings, Beech House has been in the family for 40 years and now presents a rare opportunity for those seeking a property of immense character and charm.

This spacious family home of 3,181 sq ft (including garage) offers bright and flexible living space, with excellent ceiling heights (evident throughout) and a successful blend of original and modern-day features. In addition to the main house, there is ancillary accommodation in the form of a self-contained apartment, accessed via its own porch and entrance and comprising a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It currently provides a rental income but could easily be reinstated as an integral part of the house if wished (subject to any necessary consents).

The house is entered via a reception hall that opens out to an elegant drawing room, featuring a stone fireplace with an inset log burner, and a wall of windows with French doors opening out to a terrace overlooking the lake. A further door opens out to a covered seating area and terrace which provides a superb vantage point from which to enjoy the delightful setting. Included in the sale are two bespoke awnings that clip onto the rear of the house, thereby extending the entertaining and relaxation space. Across the hall is the spacious kitchen/dining room, fitted with a comprehensive range of units, including a ‘floating’ island, Silestone worksurfaces and integrated appliances including a Neff oven with warming drawer below, Neff combi-microwave oven, a Neff dishwasher, fridge/freezer, 4-ring gas hob and a Quooker hot tap. The dining area enjoys a dual aspect, with one-way privacy glass, and features an original fireplace with an inset gas ‘real flame’ fire, and ample space for a dining table. To the rear of the reception hall is a cloakroom, and a door providing outside access. Stairs descend to a cellar/wine store which is ventilated and provides useful storage space.

Upstairs, on the mezzanine level, is a goodsized office that could be utilised as a fifth bedroom if required. Situated on the first floor is the principal suite comprising a bedroom featuring full-height windows with one-way privacy glass designed to take full advantage of the wonderful outlook over the lake, a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom. Also located on this level is a second bedroom with views across the Vicarage garden to the royal residence, Bagshot Park, and a spacious family bathroom with steps up to a utility/gym area. The second floor is host to two additional bedrooms and a shower room.

Beech House is situated opposite the Grade II listed St. Anne’s Church and although within striking distance of local amenities, it enjoys the benefits of country living with access to Crown Estate Land (only 500 metres away), perfect for pleasant walks, cycling and riding, Rapley Lake (just 1.7 miles on foot), Swinley Forest and the 5,000 acre Windsor Great Park.

Church Road is an appealing residential road close to Bagshot village with its range of shops and restaurants catering for day-to-day needs. Further more extensive amenities can be found at the historic towns of Guildford and Windsor, both with thriving high streets.

The area is well connected by road, with the M3 (J3) just over a mile away, while rail services to London Waterloo are available at Bagshot (changing at Ascot) or direct from Sunningdale in under an hour.

Leisure pursuits in the area are in abundance with world-class golf courses on the doorstep, notably Wentworth, Sunningdale, The Berkshire and Swinley Forest. For the equestrian enthusiasts, polo is available at Ascot Park, Guards Polo Club and the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, and racing at Ascot and Windsor Racecourses.

The region is served by an excellent range of schools, both in the state and private sectors, including Hall Grove, Woodcote House, Coworth Flexlands and St. Mary’s School Ascot.

Beech House is set within beautifully maintained grounds that have been creatively designed to provide a stunning setting, combining formal gardens and lawns with areas of natural beauty, including a picturesque spring-fed lake, complete with a floating duck hut on a rolling mooring (to enable the collection of eggs), a mooring for a boat, and landing stages on the far bank and also on the two islands. (Included in the sale is the rowing boat with outboard motor, two canoes and an inflatable boat). The water and foliage encourage a wide variety of wildlife to visit this truly magical setting. A runoff from the lake ensures that the water stays at a constant level.

The mature lakeside habitat is a child’s paradise with lightly wooded areas to explore, and a zip-wire across the lake for entertainment. An impressive bank of lakeside rhododendrons creates an explosion of colour during the flowering season. The gardens are maintained by a sprinkler water irrigation system and additional features which include a lit fountain, a flagpole (flags included), armillary, floodlights that illuminate the terrace, and outside electrical outlets.

To the rear of the house is a paved terrace enclosed by balustrading that provides superb outdoor dining and relaxation space whilst to the front, the house is approached via a blockpaved driveway that provides off-road parking and leads to the additional garage/workshop. It is worth noting that independent vehicular access to the grounds may be gained from Church Road via double gates.

Marketed by: Strutt & Parker, Ascot