The London property market can offer many things, but an eight bedroom, Grade II Listed manor house set on 1.3 acres of land is very rarely one of them. With its black and white beamed exterior, sweeping driveway and extensive gardens, it’s hard to believe that Woodlands Road is actually located in Surbiton, south west London.
The 10,000 sq. ft home was built in 1931 by Thomas Henry Wilson, a major proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement. Renowned for his detailed metalwork, jewellery and architecture, Wilson served as President of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society from 1915 to 1922, and became a Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1917.
He built this property for himself and his family, and the expert craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in every feature of the house is a testament both to his skill and the care he took over designing it.
Entry to the property is through a grand hallway that leads onto four reception rooms including a formal drawing room and dining room. This space could easily accommodate 15 dining guests, and features a large fireplace with ornate stonework as well as inlaid wooden walls that are intricately carved with woven patterns and scroll top columns.
The adjacent kitchen has its own pantry and a La Cornue cooker and island. Built with bespoke tulipwood and thick oak doors, it overlooks the garden and links to a second dining room and the orangery. This conservatory area was constructed less than a decade ago, but adds a wonderful living space with multiple floor-to-ceiling double doors that fill the room with natural light.
Upstairs, there are eight bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as a loft space that spans the entire length of the house. For those working flexibly, the lower ground offers both an office and a private study, while outside, there’s a separate double garage and outhouse.
Perhaps the most beautiful part of the home is its extensive landscaped gardens that wrap around the entire property. Looked after by two experienced gardeners, this outdoor space has been edged with hedges, trees and flowers that make it feel more like a country house than a London residence.
‘Woodlands Road really offers the perfect balance between country and town life,’ says Chrissie Gale, Director of Dexters Surbiton. ‘You’re less than ten miles away from the Surrey Hills of Outstanding Beauty, but also just half a mile from Surbiton station with trains that take you straight into London Waterloo. Close to some of the area’s best schools, such as Danes Hill, it would make a fantastic home for a growing family.’
