Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey

“A remarkable example of mid-century modern architecture where form follows function”

Situated on Dorking Road within two-and-a-half acres of private grounds on the edge of the sought-after village of Walton-on-the-Hill. Commissioned by singer-songwriter Eric Stewart in 1976 and finished to a design by architect Malcolm Lovibond, this home spans an incredible 7,104 sq ft, with a series of rooms intended for creating and communing; diligently carried across two storeys and seven spectacular bedrooms. The design consideration is exceptional, with banks of glazing shaped to soaring heights for maximal natural light, and a newly added indoor pool and home gym. Peaceful views surround the house; on all sides, clusters of towering pine trees conceal it, while the grounds include stables, a paddock and ancient woodland.

The Building

Designed in a late-mid-century style, the house follows a gently cantilevered low-rise form to match the garden’s sloping shape. It presents an asymmetrical composition of brick and Canadian redwood and a part-flat, part-curved copper roof, allowing the home to settle naturally into its wooded setting. Inside, the living spaces are archetypal of modernist architecture; light, flow and materiality have been prioritised, with an open-plan layout, raw materials, and ribbon windows that cover the rear and south-facing elevation. A considered element of the design is climate control ensuring exceptional comfort throughout.

The Tour

Entry is on the ground floor through a generous entrance hall that flows into a sequence of light-filled reception rooms.

Directly ahead lies a tripartite living area – comprising a living room, a snug and a dining room – that epitomises the home’s modernist construction. The living room is elevated, inviting open views over the landscape through expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing. Hardwood flooring runs through, while patinated timber and exposed stone clad the walls, framing a modern fireplace that warms the room. A balcony creates a seamless connection with the outdoors, while French doors open from the snug directly onto the garden.

A doorway leads from the dining room to a contemporary kitchen. Bespoke cabinetry has been fitted with Corian worktops, Miele appliances and a Sub-Zero Fridge, with cork flooring underfoot. A utility room sits adjacent with a stainless-steel sink, washer-dryer and a WC.

From the entrance hall, a corridor continues through to six well-composed bedrooms. The principal sits on the south-facing elevation, a wall of glazing flooding the room with daylight. There is a designated dressing area and an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and bathtub. From the corridor, there are two shared bathrooms, one of which has a raised pine-clad jacuzzi bathtub and finishes by Vola, Villeroy Boch and Duravit.

Elsewhere, an at-home gym and a marvellous indoor pool with a Douglas fir and copper roof structure are positioned in a new extension with matching copper roof. Extensive glazing continues here, drawing nature deeply inward. There is also a sauna and pool changing rooms.

A skylight has been thoughtfully placed above the spiral staircase that descends to the lower-ground floor. This floor has been tailored for entertaining and creative pursuits with a spacious games room, a living room (opening to the garden) and two versatile studio spaces. A tactile palette of brick, cork, glass and timber has been applied to match the rest of the house. There is a separate WC and two large storage spaces, while a newer raised extension completes the level with a large bedroom.

Outdoor Space

The house provides a connection to the outdoors through a range of considered spaces. A peaceful terraced garden at the rear has been laid to lawn, encircled by a canopy of pine trees. South-facing, the garden is bathed in sunlight and includes a recently repainted tennis court, a greenhouse and a vegetable garden. A gate opens directly onto Banstead Heath for a wealth of countryside walks.

There is a series of shaded decked areas for outdoor seating, capturing views of the surrounding greenery.

Elsewhere, a triple-space garage has been added in the same style as the house, used as a well-equipped workshop with a kitchenette. There is also stabling for horses and a small paddock area.

There is also a separate lodge house on the grounds available by seperate negotiation.

The Area

The house in Dorking Road is exceptionally situated on the edge of Banstead Heath in the sought-after village of Walton-on-the-Hill. The surrounding heathland provides miles of open common land, ancient woodlands, and dramatic views across the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while the world-famous Walton Heath Golf Club is directly next to the home with its two championship courses.

The heart of the village retains a picturesque pond and traditional village green, complemented by excellent local eateries, suppliers and pubs such as The Fox & Hounds and The Blue Ball. For a broader array of independent boutiques, cultural venues, and high-street amenities, the vibrant market towns of Reigate, Epsom, and Dorking are all within a 15 to 20-minute drive.

The area is well-renowned for its outstanding educational options, including the Ofsted Outstanding Walton-on-the-Hill Primary School and prestigious independent institutions such as Aberdour, Chinthurst, Epsom College, City of London Freemen's, St John's, and Reigate Grammar School.

Transport is excellent: nearby Tadworth Station provides direct rail services to London Victoria and London Bridge in around 50 minutes, Epsom Station has connections to Waterloo and Victoria in 35 minutes, and the nearby M25 motorway (Junction 8) provides access to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.