Oxfordshire country house that has appeared in many films for sale for £10 million in spite of needing some renovation
Launched to the market in June for £10 million ($12.7 million or €11.9 million or درهم46.7 million) in June 2016 as a while or £7.75 million ($9.9 million or €9.2 million or درهم36.2 million) for the main house alone, Harpsden Court to the south of Henley-on-Thames at Harpsden is a house that many will recognize from its appearances in films and television series.
Rented out for around £2,500 ($3,200 or €3,000 or درهم11,700) per day regularly by the present owners, Laurie and Barbara Gerrard, the 16,098 square foot Grade II* listed country house dates to 1204 but was primarily developed in the 16th century. Featuring architectural styles including Elizabethan, Medieval, Strawberry Hill Gothic Revival, Venetian, Palladian, Tudor Revival, Regency and Victorian, selling agents Savills describe it as having an interior that is “particularly atmospheric, with a rich sequence of well-preserved interiors representing the long history of the house, notable for the oak panelling and exquisite plasterwork”.
The attic is said to have been used as a studio by Humphrey Gainsborough (the brother of the better known painter Thomas) whilst the main bedroom is known as ‘Queen Mary’s Room’ – Queen Mary I supposedly slept there. During the First World War, Harpsden Court was converted to a hospital for British sick and wounded military personnel and since the 1980s, the house has been used as both a family home and film set. Amongst the programmes and films it has appeared in are The Great Fire, A Harlot’s Progress, The Invisible Woman, Jude, The Manhood of Edward Robinson, Miss Marple, Midsomer Murders, Molly Moon, Parade’s End, Quantum of Solace and The Woman in Black.
Featuring 7 reception rooms and 13 bedrooms, as well as numerous kitchens, offices and stores, the main house is complemented by a recently refurbished 3 bedroomed detached house named ‘Guildfords’ and two cottages adjoining a stable block and coach house. Gardens and grounds extend to 22 acres and include woodland, a boating lake, an orchard and a walled kitchen garden.
Of the house, which requires “some updating”, Barbara Gerrard told the Henley Standard about how she and her husband acquired it:
“It was the glorious summer of 1976 and the house needed lots of attention. We were lucky enough to be able to give it just that. I still remember that long, hot summer so clearly. The lake had dried up so we could walk straight across it. Twenty years later, I remember it was so cold that we could walk across the lake again — this time it was frozen”.
Stephen Christie-Miller of Savills added:
“It’s well looked after and perfectly liveable but needs to be brought into the 21st century. However, I can’t state enough the importance of this property — it is one of the most outstanding and important properties to come to the local market for some time, and it will appeal greatly to those who want a discreet country retreat, without being too far removed from the convenience of modern-day amenities and transportation links. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring this landmark property into 2016, while respecting its antiquity”.
Savills have recently changed the price to “Price on Application” and now offer Harpsden Court as a whole or in four lots.
I really really do shudder to think how whoever the new owner is, will inevitably utterly and irreversabley ruin this finest of preserved houses. The wood panelling is to die for as are the floor boards and plaster ceilings. Watch them all being ripped out and thrown in the multitude of skips that will be brought in to gut the place. It never cease to amaze me how the most wealthy in society are the most ignorant , uncultured and historically heathen of human being on this planet
Fear not. It is being restored in a respectful way. Search harpsden_court on Instagram.
I do fear the same but I pray a house of such historical value It must surely be under some protection? For it would be utterly criminal if it were altered in anyway of a destructive nature. other than minor improvements, it is a wondrous place to live. Nothing structurally should be allowed to be altered or removed. Conservation only.
There are plenty of places for a potential buyer to exercise their home improvements Bringing the garden back to a functioning kitchen garden, orchard and herbaceous yes all the better for a hand -many hands but the house -no only in very modest way restore it to its finest. How lucky to be able to live there. Such a wonderful treasure! Yes I believe it is being loved as is its due.
I can assure you this property is now in good hands and is being lovingly restored to a family home. As a Henley boy born and bred the house will I hope become an integral part of the community again. Having labored all summer I can report that the 50 self seeded sycamores have been removed in the old walled garden, as well as many other places in the garden, the lake dug out and the planting starts this autumn. First job on the house is the asbestos removal, new roof, rewiring, replumbing, dealing with the rising damp, dry rot, windows and Japanese knotweed! We plan to restore the removed gable on the front of the house etc etc etc. everything internally will be restored and the only major changes will be some showers (there are none!) and removal and opening up of the 1960s grim kitchen. To be able to do this is a great responsibility and privilege. You can follow progress @harpsden_court on Instagram