Impressive six bedroom Victorian family home set in an acre of private grounds with countryside views

Hitcham Vale is an exceptional 4000+sq ft Victorian Tudor-style residence set within a private acre of beautifully established private grounds, featuring a 1,000 sq ft outbuilding (ideal for a 6-car collection) and a scenic woodland walk to the Elizabeth Line. This substantial and elegant period home offers generous, well-proportioned accommodation across three floors, combining timeless character with outstanding versatility for modern family living and entertaining. The wraparound gardens create a private country estate feel, enhanced by a heated swimming pool and full-size grass tennis court and two stables, while a substantial detached studio building of approximately 1000 sq ft provides ideal space for home working, a gym or creative use. A self-contained top floor apartment adds further flexibility for extended family or nanny. It enjoys a distinctly rural outlook yet conveniently positioned for access to London, the motorway network and Heathrow, Hitcham Vale presents a rare opportunity to acquire a home offering lifestyle, privacy and exceptional potential in equal measure.

Five spacious reception rooms offer year round light, views of the changing seasons and easy supervision of the kids. Elegant high ceilings with feature cornices and original leaded light windows can be found in the drawing room and dining room. French doors lead out to the garden on both sides of the house. The Aga provides constant warmth in the breakfast room and morning room. Two other rooms currently used as an office and a downstairs bedroom with access to disabled facilities in the adjacent shower room. In the winter hunker down to an open fire in the drawing room or a wood burning stove in the dining room.

Externally, the grounds are laid out to provide both privacy and leisure on a scale seldom found within such close proximity to London. The gardens, once part of the Astor family estate, former owners of nearby Cliveden, offer a rear sense of heritage and maturity. A heated outdoor swimming pool (32x16ft) forms the centrepiece of a private, country-club style setting, framed by established planting and uninterrupted views across neighbouring fields and paddocks. The depth and orientation of the plot ensure a strong sense of seclusion, creating a peaceful retreat despite excellent commuter connections.

Hitcham Vale: A Rear Legacy of Elegance and Modern Versatility
''A Bijou Residence... to meet the present requirements.'' - Featured in 'The Builder', 26th September 1885
Hitcham Vale's history begins not with a blueprint, but with its debut in the pre-eminent architectural journal of the age, The Builder, on 26th September 1885

Described by the publication as a 'Bijou residence' - a team signifying a jewel of architectural elegance. It was designed by J.T Walford (a noted ecclesiastical architect) to meet the 'present requirements' of Victorian high society, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to sustainability by repurposing premium materials salvaged from a local landmark fire.

The build, executed by master contractor Mr. G. Almond of Burnham for the sum of £705, a masterclass in Victorian contrast: while the residence feature rich, dark strained woodwork throughout, the drawing room was intentionally finished in an enamel cream to provide a sanctuary of light and refined wamth.

Today, the same commitment to quality and light remains the hallmark of the home. Over 140 years later, Hitcham Vale stands as a rare survivor of the era - a 'Bijou' estate that has been meticulously adapted to meet the requirements of the 21st century, while preserving the soul of its 1885 origins.

Commissioned on the estate of the prominent Harvey Ranking, Hitcham Vale sits at the heart of the 'Taplow Triangle'. Its historical neighbours include the legendary estates of Clivedon, Taplow Court and Nashdom, where the elite social circles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries gathered. A previous owner, Guendoline Bourke, provided the inspiration for Oscar Wilde's Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest. Her husband Algernon (the owner of Whites, the oldest gentleman's club in London) became Algernon Moncrieff. The Bourkes were members of the 'Souls', an intellectual elite including Arthur Balford and George Curzon that often met with the Desborough's in nearby Taplow Court.

Externally, the grounds are laid out to provide both privacy and leisure on a scale seldom found within such close proximity to London. The gardens, once part of the Astor family estate, former owners of nearby Cliveden, offer a rare sense of heritage and maturity. A heated outdoor swimming pool (32×16ft) forms the centrepiece of a private, country club-style setting, framed by established planting and uninterrupted views across neighbouring fields and paddocks. The depth and orientation of the plot ensure a strong sense of seclusion, creating a peaceful retreat despite excellent commuter connections.??A key differentiator of Hitcham Vale lies in its outbuildings and ancillary accommodation. A substantial detached building measuring 1000 sq ft offers exceptional versatility and could serve as a professional home office, creative studio, private gym or wellness space, benefiting from separation from the main house with its separate access on Parliament Lane while remaining within the grounds. Additional outbuildings include two stables, a large greenhouse and two tool sheds, appealing to equestrian buyers, hobbyists or those seeking a genuine country club environment. ??Hitcham Vale: A Rare Legacy of Elegance and Modern VersatilityThe home retains the soaring ceiling heights, original Tudor-style leaded light windows, and "cathedral-grade" structural integrity that first captured the attention of the Victorian architectural establishment.

A Heritage of Leisure
While the home’s foundations are Victorian, its character was refined during the Art Deco 1930s – an era of Jazz-Age glamour and the quintessential "Tennis Tea." It was during this period that the grounds were refashioned to host the fashionable social gatherings of the day, a tradition that continues with the home’s exceptional outdoor amenities, including a full-size grass tennis court and a private 32ft heated swimming pool.

Designed for Modern Life Today, Hitcham Vale is a seamless blend of deep historical roots and 21st-century functionality:
•   The Residence: Over 4,000 sq ft of elegant, light-filled accommodation across three floors, featuring five spacious reception rooms, a warm Aga-anchored breakfast room, and a self-contained top-floor apartment.
•     The Estate: Set within a private acre of wrap-around gardens, the property offers a rare "country club" lifestyle. It features two stables, a substantial greenhouse, and woodland access to the Elizabeth Line.
•     Versatile Ancillary Space: A 1,000 sq ft detached building with separate access on Parliament Lane provides the ultimate creative/professional sanctuary—perfect as a studio, gym, or a home for a 6-car collection.

Surrounding Location
The surrounding location is exceptionally well suited to outdoor and leisure pursuits. The property enjoys easy access to outstanding dog walking, countryside walks and horse riding through Hunts Wood with an extensive network of bridleways. Golf enthusiasts are well served by nearby courses including Huntswood, Hedsor, Lambourne and Burnham Beeches, while the Cliveden National Trust estate is within walking distance, offering acres of historic parkland, riverside walks and formal gardens.

Unrivalled Connectivity
Despite its rural serenity and equestrian access via Hunts Wood, Hitcham Vale is a marvel of connectivity. Taplow Station (Elizabeth Line) provides a direct, 40-minute journey to the heart of London (Paddington, Bond Street, Canary Wharf). With Heathrow Airport just 20 minutes away and the M4/M40 corridors within easy reach, this is the premier choice for professionals seeking the space and privacy of a country estate without the trade-off of a long commute.
Hitcham Vale offers the rare opportunity to acquire two properties in one: a distinguished period home of documented architectural and social history significance, and a highly flexible lifestyle country estate capable of supporting the most ambitious professional, creative, or leisure pursuits.


EPC: D
Council Tax Band: H


N.B.
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