SINCE the arrival of the railway in May 1845, the cathedral city of Guildford and the surrounding towns and villages in what is now the Surrey Hills AONB have been an early port of call for Londoners in search of a country retreat within easy striking distance of the capital. And as the country-house market catches its breath in 2022 after a two-year buying frenzy fuelled by stamp-duty relief, low-interest rates, strong demand, and limited supply, it's been 'business as usual for Tim Harriss of Knight Frank's Guildford office (01483 617910), who reports a flying start to the year.
After a hectic month of trading in March, which saw every house sold in Guildford go for more than the asking price, early April went one better with the sale of the landmark, 15,000sq ft Southway's in White Lane, which was exchanged and completed on April 4. Extensively renovated in 2018, the imposing period property stands on high ground on the edge of town, overlooking protected open countryside that includes Newlands Corner, Pewley Downs, St Martha's-on-the hill, and the Chantry Woods.
Now, for the second time in 10 years, Mr. Harris is handling the sale of idyllic The Old Rectory at Hascombe, having previously sold it to the current owners. Now, he quotes a guide price of 88.5m for the elegant, Grade I listed country house set in some 20 acres of gardens, paddocks, and woodland. The land on which it stands was once part of the vast Bramley estate held by William the Conqueror's half-brother, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, until his disgrace, after which it passed to the Le Fay family.
The ancient village of Hascombe, the name of which means 'valley of the witch', sits in a natural amphitheater of steeply wooded
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