Introduction:
Nestled quietly within the English countryside lies a place where history, architecture, and personal passion converge. The story of this remarkable estate begins not with grand ambition, but with simple necessity. At the time, its owner was living in Barnes, a suburban area of London, housed within a modest 16th-century college. As creative work expanded and space became increasingly limited, the search for a larger home began. It was through the pages of Country Life magazine that this hidden treasure was first discovered.
Upon arrival, the initial impression was misleading. What appeared to be the main house turned out to be only the lodge. Beyond it stood a structure far older and far more significant — a building with nearly a thousand years of history woven into its walls. This was no ordinary home. In the 1300s, it served as the very place where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death by four sitting bishops in the Star Chamber at the front of the house, before being sent to France to face her tragic fate.
Over the centuries, the building’s role evolved alongside England’s shifting power structures. During the Reformation under Henry VII, it was closed as a Catholic center and later transformed into a working farm. For generations, it functioned as a regional administrative hub, long before the modern state existed. Births, marriages, burials, and legal penalties were all recorded here by the Church, reflecting a time when religious authority governed daily life. This balance of power changed dramatically following the conflict between Henry II and Thomas Becket, after which the state gradually rose in influence, and the Church’s control diminished.
When the current owners moved in, they were determined to honor the building’s 1500s character. Working with Stewart Interiors — a firm renowned for its restoration work at Windsor Castle — they carefully preserved the estate’s integrity. Classified as a listed building, strict regulations protected its exterior, while select interior elements were respectfully restored rather than altered.
The grounds themselves are equally rich in atmosphere. A restored 1904 gypsy wagon stands quietly in the garden, a weathered but charming relic cherished by the owner’s wife. Overlooking the rose garden at its peak bloom in May, the view extends toward a vegetable garden framed by ancient oak trees and historic stables.
In the early 20th century, the estate still resembled a small village, with separate buildings later joined into a single structure. Even today, its enchanting layout can confuse visitors, reinforcing the sense of stepping into another world. One particularly cherished space is the “Alice in Wonderland” garden — a tranquil sanctuary featuring cascading water that flows down toward the River Thames. It is a place for reflection, reading, and quiet meditation, imbued with an undeniable sense of magic.
As the journey through the grounds comes to an end, the estate stands not merely as a home, but as a living chronicle of English history. It is a place where past and present coexist, inviting visitors to walk, reflect, and immerse themselves in centuries of stories — before turning their attention to the music and memories yet to come.