Knights Yard, Bell Street, Reigate

Guide price: £475,000 to £500,000.

Behind the recognisable frontage of Waterstones on Bell Street, The Grapes at Knights Yard is a hidden gem in the heart of Reigate - an apartment that feels more like a secret sanctuary than your average flat. Part of a Grade II listed Victorian ‘Mews style’ development, this unique three bedroom maisonette captures the essence of high-spec contemporary living while holding fast to its roots in local history.

Formerly the site of the much-loved Knights Department Store.- and even earlier, the old Grapes Hotel - the building was thoughtfully reimagined by award-winning Sawkings Architects and converted in 2019. And the result? A rare blend of drama and elegance, with all the texture and tone of a historic building, but with none of the compromise.

Step inside, and the apartment immediately surprises. Entered via a quiet courtyard to the rear, through a secure gated access system, the experience feels beautifully removed from the bustle of the high street, almost like stepping into a little London-style loft, right in the middle of leafy Surrey.

On the first floor, an expansive open plan living space sets the tone, its bay window and ornate iron mantel giving a nod to the building’s Victorian past, while the deep-panelled feature wall adds charm and warmth. The kitchen is elegant and confident: deep blue shaker cabinetry, metro tiling, stone worktops, and fully integrated appliances. Every detail is deliberate.

Alongside, a generous double bedroom with exposed beams and a charming fireplace offers warmth and character, and the family bathroom wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique hotel - think freestanding claw-foot tub, walk-in shower, and tactile, textured tiling.

But perhaps the most striking feature of this home is upstairs: a vast vaulted landing area, a full 200 sq ft of character and airiness, wrapped in beams and flooded with light. A contemporary glass balustrade wraps the stairwell.

Two further bedrooms lead off this space, both double in size and with dramatic ceiling heights. The overall impression is one of space and flow - rare for a central Reigate apartment, and even rarer still in a historic building conversion. It’s little wonder that the development was awarded the Reigate Society’s Conservation and Restoration Award the same year it completed.

Living at Knights Yard places you at the very centre of Reigate life, with the town’s historic high street quite literally on your doorstep. Independent boutiques rub shoulders with artisan coffee shops, family-run restaurants, and elegant interiors stores. There’s a true sense of community here: whether it’s a weekend brunch at Canakin, a leisurely browse at Gerrards, or a pint at the Market Stores, everything you need is within a few cobbled steps.

And for those craving green space and fresh air, Priory Park is just moments away, a stunning public park complete with lake, café, tennis courts, woodland and wide open lawns. For those keeping active, Reigate’s selection of gyms and boutique yoga studios offer plenty of options. And when it comes to little ones, there are excellent nurseries and primary schools nearby, including the highly regarded Holmesdale and Reigate Parish schools. Life here is as practical as it is picturesque.

Commuters, too, will love the location. Reigate Station is within walking distance, offering direct links into London and neighbouring Surrey towns, and connections via Redhill to Gatwick Airport and beyond. The M25 is under 10 minutes by car, offering easy access to the wider Surrey Hills, Kent countryside, or the South Coast.