Cavender Estate Agents

113 High Street
Godalming
GU7 1AQ

Cobbett Hill Road, Normandy, Guildford

Offers In Excess Of £1,200,000

5 Bedroom House

Historic Grade II listed residence
Five-bedroom home extending to approximately 3,500 sq ft
Magnificent double-length drawing room
Impressive principal bedroom suite
Set within approximately 20 acres of communal parkland
Sympathetically modernised throughout
Private parking for up to six cars
Surrounded by beautiful Surrey countryside
Excellent commuter links
Offered with no onward chain

An exceptional Grade II listed residence steeped in history, forming part of the magnificent Henley Park mansion near Guildford. Originally associated with a historic estate dating back to the Domesday Book, Henley Park was once a Royal Park before the mansion was rebuilt in 1751 and later extended. Thomas Sheriff Place occupies the impressive south wing, combining Georgian grandeur and period features with spacious modern living. Extending to approximately 3,500 sq ft over four floors, the property offers five bedrooms, four bathrooms, elegant reception rooms, a magnificent double-length drawing room believed to have served as a ballroom, a private south-facing garden, double garage and additional parking. Set within beautiful parkland and approached via a tree-lined driveway, this remarkable home offers a rare opportunity to enjoy historic country-house living within easy reach of Guildford and the surrounding Surrey countryside.

Description

Thomas Sheriff Place, Henley Park, Normandy, Surrey
An exceptional historic residence combining Georgian grandeur, fascinating heritage and elegant modern living.

Set within the distinguished grounds of Henley Park in the Surrey countryside, Thomas Sheriff Place presents a rare opportunity to own a substantial period home steeped in history. Forming the impressive south-facing wing of the historic Henley Park mansion, this remarkable Grade II listed residence combines the architectural character of a grand country house with generous accommodation, beautifully proportioned rooms and an enviable setting surrounded by established parkland.

Extending to approximately 3,500 sq ft and arranged over four floors, the property offers five bedrooms and four bathrooms, with a wealth of period features and versatile living space. From the magnificent reception rooms and high ceilings to the tall sash windows and feature fireplaces, the house retains an unmistakable sense of grandeur, while offering the space and practicality required for contemporary family life.

A distinguished arrival
The approach to Henley Park immediately establishes the character of this exceptional setting. Accessed through imposing electric gates, a tree-lined driveway of approximately two-thirds of a mile winds through the estate's tranquil parkland, creating a wonderful sense of privacy and exclusivity before arriving at the historic mansion.
The impressive architecture and established surroundings provide a fitting introduction to a home of such distinction. The south-facing orientation, mature grounds and peaceful rural setting combine to create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully removed from the everyday, yet the property remains within convenient reach of Guildford and the surrounding Surrey villages.

An extraordinary history
The history of Henley Park stretches back many centuries, making it one of the area's most historically significant country estates. The manor of Henley was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, when the estate was held by Chertsey Abbey. Local historical research also traces the estate's origins to the Saxon period, reflecting the considerable age and importance of this historic part of Surrey.
In 1349, Henley became a Royal Park and remained Crown property for more than three centuries. Its association with royal and aristocratic life forms an important part of the estate's heritage, with the wider history of Henley Park connected to prominent figures and families over successive generations.
The present mansion owes much of its architectural character to the Georgian period. In 1751, the house was rebuilt for Solomon Dayrolles, a diplomat and secretary to the Earl of Chesterfield. Further alterations and extensions followed in 1784 for Henry Halsey, while the south wing was added during the mid-nineteenth century. It is this south wing that forms Thomas Sheriff Place today.
The mansion's architecture reflects the elegance and symmetry associated with Georgian country houses, with red-brick elevations, sash windows, tiled roofs and carefully balanced proportions. Its Grade II listing recognises its special architectural and historic interest.
During the later nineteenth century, Henley Park maintained close connections with the Royal Family. The estate subsequently experienced changing fortunes, including a period of decline, before a major restoration in the late 1990s rescued the historic mansion and saw it converted into four individual freehold residences.
This sensitive new chapter allowed the building's architectural character to endure while giving it a renewed purpose as a collection of distinctive homes. Thomas Sheriff Place is a particularly impressive example of this transformation, offering the opportunity to enjoy a substantial piece of Surrey's heritage as a private residence.

Elegant accommodation over four floors
The accommodation extends across four floors, providing an excellent balance of formal entertaining space, comfortable everyday living and private bedroom accommodation. Throughout, the generous proportions and traditional architectural details create an atmosphere that is difficult to replicate in a modern property.
The reception hall establishes the tone on arrival, with an impressive sense of scale befitting the building's origins. From here, the principal living accommodation unfolds, with period detailing, high ceilings and tall windows helping to create rooms that feel both grand and inviting.

The magnificent drawing room
One of the property's defining features is the impressive double-length drawing room, described in previous property particulars as a former ballroom within the original mansion.
This exceptional reception space provides a wonderful setting for entertaining on a grand scale, whether hosting formal gatherings, celebrating special occasions or enjoying relaxed evenings at home. Its generous proportions and triple-aspect arrangement allow natural light to enter from several directions, enhancing the sense of space and drawing attention to the room's elegant period character.
A working fireplace provides a traditional focal point, while the high ceilings and tall sash windows reinforce the room's historic grandeur. The scale of this reception room offers considerable flexibility for different furniture arrangements, from distinct seating areas to a more formal layout designed around entertaining.
It is a room that captures the essence of Thomas Sheriff Place: historic elegance, impressive proportions and the ability to accommodate modern living without losing its original character.

The kitchen and breakfast room
The kitchen/breakfast room provides a more informal and practical heart to the home. Offering generous space for food preparation, dining and everyday family life, it complements the formal reception accommodation and allows the house to function comfortably on a day-to-day basis.
The room offers scope for a large dining table and a relaxed breakfast area, creating a natural gathering point for family and friends. Its position within the wider layout helps balance the more formal character of the principal reception rooms with the practical requirements of contemporary living.
A separate utility room is situated within the basement accommodation, providing valuable additional space for laundry and household tasks, helping keep the main living areas uncluttered. A cloakroom further enhances the practicality of the ground-floor accommodation.

Five bedrooms and four bathrooms
The upper floors provide five well-proportioned bedrooms and four bathrooms, offering considerable flexibility for families, visiting guests or those requiring dedicated home-working space.
The principal bedroom suite is particularly impressive in scale, with a generous dressing area and an en-suite bathroom incorporating both bath and shower facilities. This provides a comfortable and private retreat, with ample room for bedroom furniture and dressing arrangements.
The second floor offers further well-proportioned bedrooms, including a bedroom with a substantial en-suite bathroom. A separate bathroom serves the remaining accommodation, helping ensure the house can comfortably cater for family life and visiting guests.
One of the property's most intriguing reported historical details is the association of a bedroom with Queen Elizabeth I's powder room. This is a particularly evocative element of the home's story, although the precise historical attribution should be independently verified before being presented as established fact.
The combination of five bedrooms, four bathrooms and substantial living accommodation makes the property suitable for a variety of purchasers seeking space, character and versatility in a historic setting.

Basement and additional accommodation
The basement provides useful ancillary space, including the separate utility room. Previous particulars have also highlighted the potential for this area to be adapted as a wine cellar, subject to the necessary permissions and suitability.

Across the four floors, the layout provides a range of possibilities for modern living while retaining the distinctive proportions and architectural identity of the original building.
Period character and architectural appeal

Thomas Sheriff Place offers the architectural features and atmosphere that make historic country houses so desirable. Its Georgian heritage is reflected in the tall sash windows, high ceilings, traditional fireplaces and elegant room proportions, while its connection to the wider Henley Park mansion gives it a distinct sense of place.

The building's red-brick origins and formal architectural style are characteristic of the grand country-house tradition of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Grade II listing is an important part of its identity, recognising the property's special historic and architectural significance.

For purchasers who appreciate period architecture, the appeal lies not simply in the appearance of individual features, but in the overall experience of living within a building that has evolved over centuries. The generous rooms, traditional detailing and historic setting create a character that is both distinctive and enduring.

As a listed property, any proposed alterations or works affecting its special architectural or historic interest may require listed building consent. Prospective purchasers should make appropriate enquiries regarding maintenance responsibilities, permissions and any restrictions affecting future changes.

Private garden, parking and estate surroundings
The property benefits from a private south-facing garden, providing a welcome outdoor retreat within the wider historic estate. The garden offers a combination of lawn and shingle terrace, creating space for outdoor dining, relaxation and entertaining during the warmer months.

The south-facing aspect enhances its appeal, providing a pleasant setting in which to enjoy the garden throughout the day. The sense of privacy and established surroundings complement the character of the house, while the wider parkland setting contributes to the feeling of space and seclusion.

Parking is available to the front of the property, with a detached double garage and further parking to the rear, offering practical facilities for households with multiple vehicles.
The estate's shared grounds provide an attractive backdrop, with established greenery and a peaceful rural atmosphere. The arrangement allows residents to enjoy the setting of a substantial historic country house without the need to maintain the entire estate privately.

Prospective purchasers should confirm the extent of the private garden, communal grounds, parking allocation, garage arrangements and any associated service or maintenance charges as part of their enquiries.

The setting: Normandy and the Surrey countryside
Henley Park is situated near Normandy, a village surrounded by the attractive countryside of west Surrey. The area offers a combination of rural tranquillity, established communities and access to a wider range of shopping, leisure and transport facilities.

Guildford is within convenient reach, providing an extensive choice of shops, restaurants, cafés, cultural attractions and everyday amenities. The town is also well known for its historic High Street, cobbled streets, castle grounds and vibrant town-centre atmosphere.

For commuters, Guildford offers mainline railway services towards London and other destinations, while the wider road network provides access to surrounding towns and villages. Journey times and transport arrangements will depend on the chosen route and time of travel.

The surrounding countryside provides opportunities for walking, cycling and enjoying the outdoors, making the location particularly appealing to those who value a rural environment without wishing to be completely removed from town amenities.

Normandy and the neighbouring villages offer a more relaxed pace of life, while Guildford provides the facilities expected of a major Surrey town. This balance between country living and accessibility is an important part of Henley Park's enduring appeal.

A rare opportunity to own a piece of Surrey history
Thomas Sheriff Place is far more than a substantial period residence. It represents the opportunity to become part of a story that stretches from medieval manor lands and royal parkland through Georgian architectural refinement to the careful restoration of a historic mansion.

The combination of a distinguished setting, Grade II listed status, approximately 3,500 sq ft of accommodation, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, impressive reception rooms and a private south-facing garden makes this a particularly distinctive home.

Whether appreciated for its historic associations, its generous proportions, its architectural details or its peaceful parkland surroundings, Thomas Sheriff Place offers a compelling alternative to conventional modern housing.

For purchasers seeking a home with genuine character, a fascinating heritage and space to accommodate contemporary family life, this remarkable residence presents a rare opportunity to enjoy the grandeur of a historic Surrey country house in a private residential setting.

Thomas Sheriff Place — a home where centuries of history, Georgian elegance and modern living come together in one exceptional setting.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Although these particulars are thought to be materially correct their accuracy cannot be guaranteed and they do not form part of any contract.

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