Rook Lane, Chaldon, Caterham, CR3

A Grade II* listed manor house set within approximately 1.25 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds, offering a rural lifestyle just 14 miles from Central London.

Description

This exceptional and historic residence provides a rare opportunity to acquire a unique single family home or a versatile multi generational living arrangement. The house has been thoughtfully arranged into two principal wings together with studio accommodation, each offering a wonderful balance of character and modern convenience. In total the accommodation offers seven bedrooms, four reception rooms and three bathrooms.

East Wing
The East Wing comprises a well appointed kitchen, a charming sitting/dining room featuring a wood-burning stove, a utility room and a magnificent manor hall. Further accommodation includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This wing enjoys direct access to a quintessential English garden with a pond and adjoining paddock, creating a tranquil and private environment.

West Wing
The West Wing represents the oldest section of the house, originally a two-bay solar wing dating from circa 1326–1358. Carefully and sympathetically restored by the current owner, this part of the property retains a wealth of historic character whilst providing comfortable and practical family accommodation. It comprises a sitting room, dining room, an impressive modern kitchen with AGA and Neff electric oven, four bedrooms and a contemporary bathroom. The West Wing benefits from its own self-contained garden, enhancing its flexibility and independence.

Studio Flat
A useful single storey studio flat provides excellent ancillary accommodation, including a kitchen, bed/sitting room with lovely views and a bathroom. This versatile space is ideally suited for a couple, extended family member or as a potential source of rental income.

Garage and Outbuildings
The property is complemented by a superb oak-framed double garage and a spacious adjoining workshop. A generous gravelled driveway provides parking for numerous vehicles.

Gardens and Grounds
Extending to approximately 1.25 acres, the gardens and grounds have been beautifully maintained and have previously been opened for the National Garden Scheme. They include well stocked borders, fine lawns, mature trees and a charming rose covered arch leading to a pond. There is also a productive vegetable garden, a variety of fruit trees and a small paddock, all contributing to the property’s quintessential English country appeal.

Historical Note
Tollsworth Manor is a rare surviving example of an early medieval open-hall house of particularly grand character. Historically one of the moated granges owned by Merton Priory from the 13th century until its dissolution in 1538, the property has evolved over centuries while retaining significant architectural integrity.

The existing structure conceals two medieval ranges: a two-bay solar wing dated (via dendrochronology) to between 1326–1358, and a three bay hall range likely constructed around 1435/36. The historic screens passage remains evident within the layout, alongside later additions including a dairy (circa 1550), extensions in 1604 and 1720 (including the manor hall), and 20th-century alterations in 1935.

Notable features include original smoke-blackened roof timbers, a striking crown post roof in the hall dating to circa 1435, a rare scratch dial dating to approximately 1150, and fine Jacobean panelling and staircase carvings dating from around 1612.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the property passed to the Crown under Henry VIII and was subsequently occupied by several notable families. In 1902 it was acquired by Lord Hylton, before being sold to the Youth Hostel Association in 1947. In 1983 it was purchased by the current owner, whose meticulous and sensitive restoration over more than four decades has been widely recognised, including by English Heritage and the Domestic Buildings Research Group.
Today, Tollsworth Manor offers a harmonious blend of historic significance and modern living, further enhanced by fast broadband via Starlink, making it well suited to contemporary home working.

Tollsworth Manor presents a rare opportunity to acquire a historic and highly distinctive country house offering exceptional character, flexibility and beautifully curated gardens, all within easy reach of London.

Private drainage. Oil fired Central heating and electric radiators and calor gas tank.

Location

Tollsworth Manor enjoys a wonderfully secluded position on Rook Lane in the village of Chaldon, located within Surrey’s attractive North Downs countryside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) whilst remaining exceptionally well connected to London and the wider South East. The nearby towns of Caterham, Oxted and Reigate provide an excellent range of day to day amenities, whilst Central London is readily accessible for business and leisure.

For commuters, Caterham and Redhill station provide regular Southern and Thames Link rail services to London Bridge and London Victoria, with journey times from around 45–55 minutes. Train services run directly to Brighton. Nearby stations at Whyteleafe, Merstham and Oxted offer additional services to London Bridge, East Croydon and Victoria. By road, the M25 (Junction 6) is approximately 4 miles away, providing access to the national motorway network, Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport. Central London is approximately 20 miles to the north, Gatwick Airport around 15 miles away and Heathrow Airport approximately 40 miles away.

The area is particularly well regarded for its educational provision. There is a strong choice of highly regarded state and independent schools including Caterham School, one of the South East’s leading co educational independent schools, Oakhyrst Grange Preparatory School, Woldingham School, Hawthorns School, St Francis Catholic Primary School and Chaldon Primary School. Popular state secondary options include de Stafford School in Caterham and Oxted School. The wider Surrey area also offers access to several outstanding grammar, independent and preparatory schools.

Shopping facilities are excellent. Caterham Valley and Caterham on the Hill offer a comprehensive selection of supermarkets, independent retailers, cafés and everyday services. Oxted High Street, approximately 5 miles away, is particularly popular for its mix of boutique shops, restaurants and specialist food stores, whilst Reigate and Guildford provide more extensive shopping and leisure facilities. Bluewater Shopping Centre can be reached in approximately 35 minutes by car, while Central London’s world-renowned retail districts are easily accessible by rail.

The area offers an exceptional range of sporting and recreational opportunities. Caterham boasts a range of tennis, cricket, football and rugby clubs, together with several golf courses including Surrey Downs Golf Club, Godstone Golf Club and Woldingham Golf Club. The nearby North Downs provide superb walking, cycling and riding routes, whilst health and fitness facilities can be found at de Stafford Sports Centre, Tandridge Leisure Centre and several private health clubs in the surrounding area.

The local dining scene is equally appealing. Chaldon and the surrounding villages are home to a collection of traditional country pubs, many with open fires, garden terraces and acclaimed seasonal menus. Nearby Caterham and Oxted offer an excellent selection of independent restaurants, contemporary bistros, artisan bakeries and speciality coffee houses.

Combining picturesque Surrey countryside, excellent schools, superb transport connections and an abundance of leisure and lifestyle amenities, Tollsworth Manor is ideally positioned to enjoy the very best of both rural and commuter living.

All distances and timings are approximate.

Square Footage: 4,640 sq ft


Acreage: 1.25 Acres