The Cedars, Upper Butts, Brentford, Greater London, TW8

What the owners love:

Despite its considerable size, to us The Cedars has always felt a cosy house. We love the feel that it’s been firmly standing here in Brentford for about 300 years. We still enjoy its quirkiness and different shaped arches and variety of fireplace designs. Our children and their friends used to find wonderful hiding places as they rushed up one flight of stairs and down another. We love its quaint attic cupboards and moving from some rooms essentially those of a country cottage, to others that have the elegance of a Georgian town house. How can one house be all those things? Best of all are the views over the walled garden – always relaxing to look at, much of it green throughout the entire year.

Whilst the pair of cedars of Lebanon dominate, the horse chestnut, Spanish horse chestnut, ceonothus, mimosa and laburnum each have their weeks of glory as the year goes round – as does the ancient wisteria snaking along the front wall unusually flowering at least twice each year. We have always had excellent neighbours within the Conservation area, many of whom have become good friends. Within a quarter of a mile’s flat walk we can be at the train station, the library, the GP and dental surgeries and the local shops, restaurants and cinema.

Close at hand are Boston Manor, Gunnersbury Park, Osterley, Syon Park, the Grand Union Canal and the Thames – for walks, nature and even more history! And yet we are only 30 minutes by train from Waterloo and the South Bank.

Why we would buy it:

There are homes that are impressive, and there are homes that feel like they should come with their own National Trust plaque—The Cedars is both. You get the gravitas of Georgian architecture, the quirks of centuries-old craftsmanship, and the kind of space that makes you want to host everything from candlelit dinners to epic games of hide and seek.

It’s rare to find a house of this scale that still feels warm and personal. The layout invites exploration—split levels, secret staircases, sunlit landings—and the garden? It’s not just pretty, it’s poetic. Mature, layered, and full of seasonal drama.

Let’s address the obvious: yes, it’s an old house—and proudly so. As a listed property, it demands to be loved for what it is, not 'opened up' or stripped back into some soulless, off-the-peg open-plan box. It’s not meant to be modernised into oblivion. It’s meant to be cherished.

This is a proper, once-in-a-generation home—one that rewards those who understand its value, not just its square footage. And if you don’t mind us saying, you’d be mad to miss it.

Summary:

Set within the sought-after Butts Conservation Area in Brentford, The Cedars is a remarkable Grade II listed Georgian residence offering circa 4000 sq ft of internal accommodation across three floors. Dating back to circa 1720–30, the home blends elegant period architecture with layers of modern and historical updates, including Georgian wood panelling, art nouveau fireplaces, and sash windows.

The layout includes five bedrooms, a variety of reception rooms, basement, detached garage/garden studio, and even an in-tact WW2 air raid shelter! The large walled garden is a major feature, framed by ancient trees including two Cedars of Lebanon.

Located just a short walk from Brentford Station (with services to Waterloo), the house offers easy access to local amenities and green spaces such as Syon Park, Boston Manor, and the Grand Union Canal. With a rich legacy of notable residents and a commanding presence in the area, The Cedars is a truly unique opportunity to own a slice of West London history.