Aboyne, Woldingham, Surrey

Designed and built by the owners in 2023 on a sloped site in the North Downs, this clever four-bedroom home in Woldingham, in Surrey is a rare contemporary addition to the local vernacular. Its interiors, spanning over 2,600 sq ft, are incredibly versatile; two triple-aspect living spaces bookend the house. The garden is intentionally naturalistic, and there is a summer house, a spectacular south-facing roof terrace perfect for stargazing, and a large garage. Woldingham rail station is a four-minute drive away and runs services to London Victoria in approximately 35 minutes.



Environmental Performance



The house has been designed to be very energy efficient, toward PassivHaus standard, including a high level of insulation and airtightness. Tall ceilings with generous windows maximise views and daylight whilst also taking advantage from solar gain. Hot water and underfloor heating throughout the house are provided by an air source heat pump. A whole house mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system ensures a fresh interior environment.



The Tour



Slines Oak Road is a beautiful and quiet tree-lined road, typical of the Surrey countryside. This house is intentionally pared back, informed by its rolling countryside setting. There is a private driveway with parking for multiple cars. The house is timber framed, clad in red brick and zinc, and with only a large chimney as a counterpoint to its otherwise clean square lines. It was designed by the owners for their family, and as such the design is notably flexible and open, creating wonderfully bright spaces. The house is finished to an incredibly high standard throughout.



An entrance hall lies at the centre of the house, with the living spaces to the right and the kitchen and dining spaces to the left. A concise palette of white walls, wood finishes and black natural linoleum floors run throughout. From the hallway, two steps descend to the brilliant triple aspect living space, which has a wood-burning stove.



At the opposite end of the house sits an expansive dining room, its sense of volume amplified by a spectacular double-height section of the ceiling. Doors from the dining room and the kitchen establishes a natural flow from the indoor spaces to the garden. There is also a bright guest bedroom/office, a utility room and a bathroom on the ground floor.



Up a striking staircase are three equal-sized bedrooms, a shared bathroom and an open plan study overlooking the double-height space. The latter was designed to serve as a fifth bedroom, and a wall could be incorporated here if desired. The principal bedroom has built-in storage and an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub, as well as access to the large terrace; a wonderfully open space, with views through the trees to the countryside beyond. The second bedroom and landing also have access directly onto the terrace.



A separate matching brick building includes the garage and a serviced workshop.



Outdoor Space



The complete site covers around 0.75 acres. The patios surrounding the house have been laid out to ensure there is a sunny spot in which to sit throughout the day. The structural gabions contain building materials from the house that previously occupied the site. To the rear of the house, the sloped garden is bordered by trees to create a sense of privacy. This part of the garden was deliberately designed to remain naturalistic and is home to several varieties of wild flora and fauna. At the top is a section of woodland, previously used for grazing animals, giving way to scenic views of the landscape.



The Area



Woldingham is a pretty, sought-after village with excellent transport links to London, located in the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The village has an active sense of community with a handy shop and post office. There are further amenities in nearby Oxted.



Set within the North Downs this area is excellent for walking. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby with wonderful views of the countryside; The Botley Hill Farmhouse is a particular highlight on a walk from the historic Titsey Estate. The White Bear dates to the 16th century and is also close by.

There are several excellent schooling options, from the well-regarded Woodlea Primary School located in the centre of the village, independent Woldingham School and Oxted’s secondary school which is a 10-minute drive from the house.



The house is well positioned for transport links. Trains from Woldingham rail station run directly to London Victoria in around 35 minutes. A change at East Croydon provides links to multiple other central London stations. The M25 is easily reached, providing links to the national motorways.



Council Tax Band: G