A Gorgeous Victorian Country House With Its Own Private Gate On To Windsor Great Park

Arabella Youens April 20, 2024

A vast expanse of parkland is literally on your doorstep at this charming house, with five bedrooms, a study and a wonderful library.

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.

The rhododendron bushes in full display at the Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park.

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.

Recommended videos for you

Note to self: Next time I buy a house, make it one with a library as good as this one.

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.

We’re pretty sure this isn’t a giant wine rack in the bathroom, but… if it is, then bravo. Bravo indeed.

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.

The gate on to Windsor Great Park.

Fig 1: Windsor Castle, residence of the Sovereign, from the nearly three-mile Long Walk that was laid out by Charles II in 1680–85. Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III. Credit: Alamy As the new reign begins, John Martin Robinson takes an exclusive look at Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of

Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III. Photographed by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library. Credit: Country Life We take a look back at a wonderful year of architecture articles in Country Life, including an astonishing look inside

Sir John Major and Charles III are amused at a 1994 Prince’s Trust event. Credit: Shutterstock Credit: Shutterstock Ahead of the curve, diligent and gifted with an empathy that allows him to connect with all people, Charles III