Property Of The Week: King Henry VIII Waterside Home On Thames Ditton Island

A recently refurbished detached 1,617 square foot three-bedroom house, on secluded Thames Ditton Island, on the River Thames, perfectly placed for waterfront, village and urban living, with panoramic views, open-plan living spaces, a log-burning stove, summer house, heated pagoda, home office, large private mooring and riparian rights, is for sale with DEXTERS for £1,275,000.

The two storey, one reception, two-bathroom home, with multi-level terraced riverside gardens, is one of just 48 freehold houses on historic, vehicle-free Thames Ditton Island, which very rarely come available on the open sales market. Better known to locals simply as “The Island”, the 320 metre-long ait is exclusive to its residents, reached by an elegant 1930s-built footbridge to which only code-holders have access.

While one side of The Island is celebrated for its views to 750-acre walled Home Park, just outside Hampton Court Palace, where King Henry VIII kept herds of deer, the other faces the quieter, narrower, but equally picturesque stretch of River Thames and the pretty Surrey village of Thames Ditton, of which the home has spectacular views.

It’s in a prime position to access the footbridge and local high street itself, lined with independents shops, boutiques, eateries and pubs, with easy access for the mainline station and excellent local schools. The shopping mecca of Kingston-upon-Thames is just 2.5 miles away, and central London 13.

The brick built home has been beautifully refurbished, improved and redecorated over the past two years by its present owners to create the ultimate contemporary riverside sanctuary, while replete with the sense of fascinating royal history that pervades The Island.

It is believed that when King Henry VIII reclaimed possession of Hampton Court Palace from Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1525, after the statesman’s fall from grace, Thames Ditton Island was created when the river was widened and straightened, to ease Henry’s journey from Westminster to the palace.

While River Thames island life is celebrated as particularly idyllic in the summer months, this home has been carefully designed, refurbished and weather-proofed to be a truly year-round retreat. With a focus on outside living, at its front is a secluded landscaped garden and 117sq.ft. summer house, creating the feel of a country home, while at the rear, the spectacular riverside setting comes into its own.

The south-facing multi-level waterfront garden has a huge decked terraced area, with stone steps leading down to a large wooden pagoda, which has a built-in eco heater so it can be enjoyed in every season, plus discreet kayak storage. At the water’s edge, a private 21ft.-plus mooring is large enough for two small boats or one large one, with a newly built pontoon and an electric boat charging point.

Blurring the boundaries between outside and in, the home’s ground-floor open-plan kitchen, living and dining area has bifold doors, spanning the width of the home, opening onto the decked terrace; on cooler days, the closed doors still perfectly frame the water views, and the swans gliding past, while the log-burning stove warms the space.

The American-style kitchen area has been designed with engineered wooden flooring, pale grey and cream cabinetry and a kitchen island. Ensuring the kitchen remains uncluttered to further enhance the views, a separate utility room incorporates plentiful built-in storage. A guest cloakroom completes the ground level.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom suite has French doors opening onto a balcony with river views and space for a small table and two chairs, wonderfully private thanks to a lush vine growing around it. Its recently remodelled and refitted ensuite has a luxurious shower enclosure, pale Lusso Stone furniture and white marble scalloped tiling.

There are two further beautifully presented double bedrooms, a family bathroom, which has also been recently redesigned with taupe Lusso Stone furniture and a freestanding fluted bath tub, and a small office.

The house on Thames Ditton Island is for sale for £1,275,000 freehold. For further information or to arrange a viewing contact DEXTERS (Surbiton) by visiting www.dexters.co.uk.

Images courtesy: DEXTERS

Feature your property by contacting Alan Cox, Abode2, at alan@abode2.com today.