LET BATTLE COMMENCE
Battlecrease Hall, even the name gets the imagination going, evoking images of grandeur associated with the English country home.
You will not be disappointed with this fine Grade II Listed Georgian home which comes with an illustrious history of many notable talented musicians and captains of industry that have resided here through the centuries. Including Sir Rider Haggard, the author of adventure novels set in exotic locations and it was even reputed to have been the love nest for Lord Nelson and his mistress, Lady Hamilton.
Between the war years the property became a convalescence home for the aristocracy. Subsequently purchased by Sir Reginald and Lady Harland, who was at the time Commander-in-Chief of the RAF. In the early 1980s, Walter Hayes CBE, Vice-Chairman of Ford, founder of the Ford Company’s Formula 1 programme who went on to sign Jackie Stewart, and later Chairman of Aston Martin, bought the house and lived there with his wife and three children. It was in the Drawing Room of Battlecrease that Henry Ford II agreed to buy Aston Martin with Hayes.
You may well have seen the house in recent years, as it has hosted and appeared in a number of high-end brand advertisements, music videos and has been used as a filming location. It even came a close 2nd choice for the John Lewis Christmas advert, due to its wonderful traditional character and homely charm.
This beautiful 18th century home, like many of its period, started as a modest dwelling, later gentrified in the 19th century, refronted in yellow stock brick and extended over three floors. A further Orangery and grand pillared entrance were added in the 20th century. Sadly, due to ill health, the former owner, let the house slip into disrepair, until our clients purchased it in 2012. Fortunately, it was love at first sight and – having a passion for period buildings – our clients set about restoring, renovating, and converting into what is now a magnificent home. The attention to detail, quality of materials, and craftsmanship employed to carry out the sympathetic restoration has brought it back to life and taken it to a new level befitting of its status and making it a home fit for today’s demanding life style, combined with some interesting twists.
The accommodation extends to 4,620 sq.ft (429.2 sq.m) set over three floors, comprising six double bedrooms, three bathrooms (two en-suite), four reception rooms and the usual offices. The symmetrical design of the period centres around the hallway and staircase. To the right-hand side is the drawing room retaining its open fireplace, ceiling cornice and 12 pane sash window. This flows through a wide arch into the music room with casement doors onto the garden and southerly views over Lower Halliford Green to the front. Turning left off the hall is the library, also retaining its fireplace, sash window and a ceiling cornice of a rare design, depicting the faces of politicians, writers, and actors of the era. To the rear is the gorgeous open plan kitchen/dining/orangery.
The kitchen has been comprehensively fitted including a 4 oven gas fired Aga and opens onto a sunny courtyard to the side, which is a lovely area to have a morning coffee and read the papers. To the rear is a splendid dining room/orangery that accommodates a 12-seater dining table and has four sets of doors that open onto the pool terrace, making it perfect for either formal or al fresco entertaining. A large roof lantern floods the room with natural light and the room was designed and built to an original Georgian design by a specialist company renowned for their work with the National Trust and listed buildings.
To the first floor a spacious landing gives access to two large double bedrooms each with its en-suite and enjoying beautiful views over Lower Halliford Green and the surrounding countryside. The master suite has an adjoining dressing room and sumptuous bathroom. Continuing up to the second floor are four further double bedrooms and a beautifully appointed shower room.
Battlecrease Hall is situated in an enviable position with southerly views over Lower Halliford Green to the front and only a few hundred yards from the sweeping Halliford Bend of the River Thames. Historic “Old Shepperton” with its picturesque Church Square, fine Norman Church, reputable selection of public houses and restaurants are within a pleasant stroll. Shepperton village offers a friendly community, ideal for bringing up a family and boasts an excellent selection of state and private schools, catering for all age groups.
The village centre with its traditional bustling High Street and station (London Waterloo, 53 minutes) are within 0.8 miles. There are bus routes adjacent to surrounding principal towns and Heathrow airport. The larger town centre of Walton-on-Thames with its excellent shopping and entertainment facilities is just over one mile with trains to London taking 23 minutes. For the motorist, junction 1, M3 and the start of the A316 to London and junction 11, M25 are 2.6 and 4.3 miles respectively.
Any enquiries should be directed to Owen Miles at Curchods Shepperton on
01932 230033 / owen-miles@curchods.com