Westerham Road, Oxted, Surrey, RH8

Set behind wrought-iron gates on a generous plot, The Old Retreat House is an Edwardian property of unusual character, built in 1905 and quietly layered with over a century of history. Originally constructed as a place of conducted retreat for the Holy Cross Order, the house has since passed through a succession of incarnations, each leaving its imprint, from the stained glass artist who once lived here and used the adjoining Chapel as a studio, to the wartime years when a 36-person air raid shelter was carved out beneath the grounds. What remains today is a seven-bedroom family home of remarkable scale and warmth, extending to over 5,000 square feet and combining the proportions of a country house with the convenience of an in-town address.

The arrival is gracious. The sweeping gravel drive leads to the front door with a tile-floored entrance hall, where an arched inner doorway draws the eye through to a curved staircase rising beneath a leaded glass clerestory. To one side, the drawing room is a generous formal space with intricate cornicing, and a beautifully tiled fireplace, the kind of detail that anchors a room without dominating it. Next, the sitting room with its Art Nouveau tiled fireplace and the snug which has beautiful views of the garden.
The dining room has windows on three sides, its sash windows framing the striped lawn beyond and its panelled walls picked out in a confident deep red. The herringbone parquet underfoot and the brick fireplace lend the space a real sense of occasion.

At the heart of the ground floor sits the kitchen/breakfast room which opens out through French doors to a sheltered veranda. Hand-painted Plain English shaker style cabinetry in soft duck egg blue sits beneath solid timber worktops. Twin larders for proper provisioning then lead through to the laundry room with a classic chequerboard floor underfoot and matching additional kitchen units and workspace which makes light work of the practical side of running a house of this size. A cloakroom and WC complete the ground floor.
The first floor centres on a galleried landing, lit by leaded windows and finished with the same warm pairing of soft cream and sage green that runs through the lower hall. Four bedrooms sit on this level. The principal bedroom has an en-suite in the turreted corner, and views across the North Downs. Bedroom two enjoys a fireplace and a bay window with window seat and views across the garden, while two further double bedrooms share a family bathroom.

Climbing to the second floor reveals three further bedrooms tucked beneath the eaves, served by their own bathroom. These are characterful, light-filled rooms with sloping ceilings and sash windows looking out across the treetops, well suited as guest quarters, children's bedrooms, or a self-contained top floor for older teenagers.

Below ground, the cellar offers useful storage, while the former air raid shelter (accessed separately) has been converted into a generous workshop and wine store, a quiet nod to the property's wartime past and a practical addition for anyone with a hands-on hobby or a serious cellar to keep.

Outside, the gardens are the property's other great pleasure. The half-acre plot has been beautifully landscaped with mature planting, a manicured lawn, and different patio areas which allow you to follow the sun throughout the day. A York stone terrace runs along the back elevation, with a sheltered veranda strung with festoon lights, while an Alitex greenhouse leads to a kitchen garden of raised beds. 
Located in Oxted, the property combines a quiet, established setting with quick access to the High Street, mainline rail services to London, and the open countryside of the Surrey Hills beyond.

Location Guide

Set in one of Oxted’s most attractive residential neighbourhoods, a short walk brings you to the vibrant centre of Oxted, where independent boutiques, artisan cafés and quality restaurants help create a warm, community minded high street. For commuters, Oxted railway station is within easy reach and offers regular direct trains into central London. Services to London Victoria typically take around 38–45 minutes, while journeys to London Bridge can be around 33–34 minutes, making daily travel or weekend trips into the capital both swift and stress free.

This location also benefits from outstanding educational options close by. Hazelwood School, an independent preparatory school with strong academic and pastoral traditions, sits within a short stroll of the road. Oxted School, a well regarded coeducational secondary school with a sixth form, is also close by. For specialist education, Limpsfield Grange School offers tailored provision for girls aged 11–16.

Families seeking state primary options will find a choice across the wider Oxted area, including St Mary’s Church of England Primary and Holland Junior School, all within easy reach of the address.

Beyond the local amenities, residents enjoy effortless access to some of Surrey’s most cherished outdoor spaces. The footpaths and woodlands of the North Downs, Limpsfield Common and Glebe Meadow are moments away, offering peaceful routes for walking, cycling and weekend pursuits amidst rolling countryside.

With its appealing blend of connectivity, schooling and picturesque surroundings, this location represents a genuinely compelling opportunity for those seeking a refined family home in a community with genuine character and excellent links to both local life and the capital.