The history boys

Owning a property with a past could be easier than you think. Jane McGowan discovers some dos and don'ts that may help you decide

To some people, the idea of living in a centuries-old house, full of patchy plasterwork and wonky floorboards would be unbearable. The constant need to keep an eye on the rickety roof or the threat of rising damp would drive them to distraction. But what is it they say: one man’s meat is another man’s poison? For the thousands of UK householders who live in a listed building, the idea of owning a little piece of history is well worth the effort.

“There is nothing to be scared of when purchasing a listed or older property,” says Dawn Carritt, director and historic property expert at Jackson-Stops. “There are plenty of people who can assist you and if you have any concerns, you should check with the conservation officer at your local council.”

According to Historic England, the body that oversees the nation’s structural treasures, a listed building is something of “special architectural or historic interest”. The listing is broken down into three categories: Grade I – of exceptional interest; Grade II – particularly important buildings of more than special interest; Grade III – special interest warranting every effort to preserve them. Over 90% of all listed buildings are in this grade.

The plus points of living in a listed building are numerous: not only are you the keeper of a little piece of the past, but the value of a historic home is more likely to withstand the fluctuations of the property market. 

But there are understandably a few things to consider too. For example, should you wish to carry out repairs or renovations, you are required to contact your local authority as there may be restrictions on design or materials used. The local authority can also contact you and insist you carry out repairs if it deems you are not looking after the building. Listed properties are also more expensive to insure and any new buyer is liable for any previous unauthorised repairs.

“The vendor must declare all alterations,” says Dawn. “If they don’t and the council finds out about them, the current owner is liable whether they carried them out or not. But problems only really occur if you are trying to radically alter the house. Like-for-like repairs do not need consent.”

However, help is out there. The Listed Property Owners’ Club is a member organisation designed to offer support and advice to people thinking of purchasing or for those who already own such a home. 

Established in 1993, the Club was created to provide the owners of Britain’s protected buildings with information and advice on the maintenance, responsibilities and obligations of ownership. You can speak to experts on issues such as planning, VAT, law, and insurance, plus, a Suppliers Directory of professionals, builders and tradesmen.

“You never know when you might need expert help and advice with the day to day challenges of owning a listed home, and that’s where The Listed Property Owners’ Club comes in,” says Peter Anslow, LPOC founder. “From conservation and planning advice to insurance – there aren’t many questions that arise that we haven’t experienced before.”

So if you fancy being part of history, why not check out local properties (like the ones below) to whet your appetite?

A little page of the past

Once the home of celebrated author Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard, Hogarth House in Paradise Road, Richmond, is a beautiful Grade II-listed Georgian building, that has been lovingly restored to provide two stunning townhouses, aptly named Virginia & Leonard. 

The story goes that during tea on Virginia’s 33rd birthday, she and Leonard agreed on three resolutions: they would buy Hogarth House in Richmond, procure a hand press to do their own printing, and buy a bull dog. There is no further mention in Woolf’s diaries of the dog, but they moved into Hogarth House and two years later they purchased a hand press, thereby merging their home and a small-scale letterpress studio into ‘The Hogarth Press’. 

Currently on the market with Savills, is four-bedroomed property Virginia (which forms the right hand side as you face Hogarth House), offering generous accommodation over four floors. The period detailing has been fully preserved and there are several standout features, including the panelled principal rooms, the elegant staircase and charming rear garden– designed by the RHS Chelsea medal winner, Heather Appleton.

  • Virginia, Hogarth House is on the market for £3,750,000 and is marketed by Savills. For further details, visit: savills.com; (020) 8614 9100

A classic home with a Twist

Built in the 1850s, Sondes Place, Surrey, was a country house developed by distinguished Victorian property entrepreneurs, Thomas and William Cubitt. Located on Westcott Road, Dorking, the brothers designed and built the ‘small’ country house with the purpose of renting it out to wealthy tenants. They succeeded – in 1929, it caught the eye of one of the world’s most glamorous family dynasties, the Cartiers, before being occupied by an Indian Maharajah while he attended the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935.

But, like many such residences, the glitz and the glamour gave way to neglect and decay and Sondes Place fell on hard times. 

In 2014 it was acquired by Twist Homes and the company’s founder Guy La Costa realised the only way to bring the building back to its former glory, embodied in the Cubitt’s original vision, was to sympathetically restore it. 

The Twist team put Sondes Place back together piece by piece using modern methods, while following a traditional form.

Twist has spent three years creatively and meticulously reinstating this iconic building, which sits high on the edge of Dorking. It now offers six individual residential properties that consists of: a one two-bedroom apartment; two grand-duplex three-bedroomed apartments; two three-bedroom penthouses with private roof terraces that have sky lounges with stunning views over Dorking and Box Hill; and one four-bedroom house on the west wing.  

  • For information, visit: twist.uk.com or contact agents Patrick Gardner on 01372 360 832

Blast From the past 

The red brick front of Cedar House is a familiar sight to travellers on the road between Cobham and Stoke D’Abernon and the facade, on a sunny day mirrored in the calm mill pond of the River Mole, has frequently been captured by artists and photographers over the years. 

The core of the property dates back to the late fifteen century and it is said that Nelson once visited. Cedar House was given its present name in the Victorian era. In more recent years the house was used as offices by the Eagle Star insurance company and as a residential home for elderly ladies before becoming a hotel. 

Now Cedar House is entering a new phase. There is consent in place to convert the building from hotel use and it is available for sale for residential occupation for the first time in 350 years. The property stands at 5,431 sq ft with proposed works to extend the building to 7,206 sqft. Over the last year, extensive renovation work has taken place so the detached building now stands ready to accept the final finishes, including kitchen, bathrooms and flooring.

This is an opportunity to create a remarkable family home within this historic gem, right in the centre of Cobham village.

  • Cedar House is on the market with Grosvenor Billingshurst; price on application. Telephone 01932 588 288

Park life

Albury Park is widely acknowledged to be one of the South East’s most prestigious country houses, hosting numerous historic events such as the Coronation Ball for King George III in 1762.

The original dwelling was recorded in the Doomsday Survey as Elderberrie Manor, but following a fire in 1697, the house was re-built amid the glorious parkland setting created by Sir John Evelyn. The house and stables received a facelift in 1846 by celebrated Victorian architect Augustus Pugin who remodelled it in a Victorian Gothic style including 63 unique moulded octagonal brick chimneys.

Currently on the market in the five-acre Albury Park, is a delightful two-bedroom terraced mews cottage which, as well as being situated in the sumptuous grounds, is also packed with a mix of character detail and modern styling.

As you would expect, one of the standout features is the beautifully landscaped gardens which extend approximately five acres down to the banks of the Tillingbourne River. What’s more, the views can be enjoyed through the classic windows which stand at the end of the elegant double aspect sitting/dining room (20ft x 16’5ft) on the ground floor.

A raucous riverside legacy

Ask anyone over the age of 50 about Skindles Hotel and you’ll probably get a wry smile and shake of the head. Infamous throughout the second half of the 20th century as the perfect joint for a good old fashioned knees-up, the hotel was renowned for adulterous assignations and a rock ‘n’ roll clientele.

Unfortunately, when Berkeley took over development of the 42-acre brownfield site of which the old Skindles Hotel building was a part, they found it in too high a state of disrepair for restoration. However, lovers of history need fear not, for Berkeley has teamed up with the Roux family to continue the Skindles legacy, with plans to open a new riverside restaurant where the old girl used to be. 

Adjoining the Roux Restaurant will be Waterfront Villas, a set of townhouses that possess commanding views over The Thames, and there are ample additional opportunities for buyers to grab a slice of history as Berkeley is also restoring the Grade II listed Glen Island House, Mill Island Cottage, Mill Island House and Millside House as part of the same Taplow site.

Hopefully residents at the new development can look forward to slightly more than R C Sherriff’s mention of the hotel in his play Journey’s End: “We danced a bit at Skindles, and drank a lot of port and muck.”

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