This unique Grade II listed four/five-bedroom home, with lodge-style architecture, is nestled on 7.5 acres of ancient woodland and serves as the ultimate wildlife sanctuary, together with a unique Defence Fort, and a charming annexe currently on Airbnb. Located in the Surrey Hills, and surrounded by miles of rolling countryside, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, yet convenient access to the M25 at Junction 6 (5 mins drive), 20 mins drive to London Gatwick Airport, and train links to Central London (approx 35 mins). With potential for further development, this property offers commercial and residential opportunities.
Set back on a private woodland lane you will find your own, very private 7.5 acres of secluded paradise within the M25, in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
A large sweeping driveway leads up to the main house, in an elevated position, with the Defence Fort beyond, and an annexe tucked away, providing privacy for guests. This substantial plot offers extensive parking.
The unique Grade ll listed detached family home, with lodge-style architecture, nestled on ancient woodland and serves as the ultimate wildlife sanctuary, together with a unique Defence Fort, and a charming annexe currently used for Airbnb guests. A fascinating fort with historical interest. As you reach the house you will see a substantial flat plot which is surrounded by woodlands, and as you make your way through the woodlands you come to a decking area which is a perfect place for a yoga retreat/gym or just to enjoy a picnic in the serenity of nature.
The House
This unique Grade ll listed detached family home, situated in a an elevated position with lodge-style architecture, vaulted ceilings and exposed original roof beams showing off the subtle grandeur of the unique architecture. On the ground floor you enter to a spacious open plan hallway with large bright area and lounge with vaulted ceiling and mezzanine with skylights. The whole space creates a fantastic bright airy living area, with a beautiful spiral staircase which leads up to a mezzanine and has views of the main living area and plenty of space for a office or reception room/guestroom. A large modern open plan kitchen/ diner with views out to the gardens and natural woodlands, with access onto the large patio decking which looks onto the lawns and woodlands. A large double bedroom with open ceilings creating a grande Master bedroom which has a a large shower room & walk in sauna for you to relax and unwind. A family bathroom is located just off the reception room, and plenty of hidden storage areas.
On the first floor with its own private staircase is two further double bedrooms one with a window view to the Mezzanine which could be opened up to create a separate living area for kids or Nanny.
The Annexe
The property further benefits from an annexe, currently functioning as an Airbnb. This bright and comfortable space which is self-contained with its own parking and patio area to enjoy your morning coffee has been converted into a modern and bright Airbnb, a studio-style living kitchen, dining, bedroom with a walk in rain shower room, a wonderful spot for visitors to enjoy the nature and serenity of High Beeches, enjoying views of the woodlands from front and rear. The additional potting shed which has access through the shower room, gives guests the perfect viewing area for nightly badger, fox and dear watching onto the substantial lawns and woodlands.
Pilgrims Fort
Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this property is the Defence Fort, a Scheduled Historical Monument formerly known as Foster Down Fort, protected by English Heritage. The fort served as an ammunition store and a defence for London against foreign invasion and the main residence was once used as its tool store. Its semi-circular position and being built into the bank create a central courtyard-type space, while underground storage rooms offer further practicality; not to mention, the outstanding views of the idyllic countryside surrounding Caterham.
Local Area
Located on the outskirts of the North Downs, Caterham is set within in the picturesque countryside of Surrey. It boasts a rich history, breathtaking woodlands, peaceful village roads and rustic appeal. This area is perfect for couples and families seeking a serene escape from urban life, while still catering to all their essential needs. With easy access to schools, shops and services in Caterham Valley and Caterham-on-the-Hill, it offers a comfortable and hassle-free lifestyle.
The residence has strong transport links with the M25 junction six nearby, Caterham train station and town centre within 1.5 miles and easy access to London and Gatwick Airport.
More information on Pilgrims Fort:
The London Defence Positions were a late 19th century scheme of earthwork fortifications in the south-east of England, designed to protect London from foreign invasion landing on the south coast. The positions were a carefully surveyed contingency plan for a line of entrenchments, which could be quickly excavated in a time of emergency. The line to be followed by these entrenchments was supported by thirteen permanent small polygonal forts or redoubts called London Mobilisation Centres, which were equipped with all the stores and ammunition that would be needed by the troops tasked with digging and manning the positions.
This particular monument includes the main compound of Fosterdown Fort, also known as Pilgrims Fort, situated on a southern spur of the North Downs, around 1km south of Caterham. The main, south facing compound, is roughly circular in plan and is defined by a large, earthen rampart. The shallow, surrounding ditch, which is in turn encircled by a low bank, contained spiked metal railings which completely enclosed the compound. Access to the interior is from the gorge to the north or rear of the compound through a gap in the rampart, which is flanked by low concrete walls which meet its rear-curving ends.
The entrance is approached by a track from the north, and opens onto an almost square, north west-south east aligned central parade. Its concrete walls, on the north eastern and western sides, extend to join the low gorge walls. The parade is defined on its south western side by a three roomed magazine, set into the rear of the forward rampart, just below the internal ground level. To minimise the risk of explosion, the magazine chambers were lit by lamps, set in recesses behind panes of glass, and accessed from the lamp passage which surrounds the magazine. The corridor in front of the chambers was divided into two sections by the addition of a partition wall. The short passage in front of the cartridge store contained a shifting lobby, just inside the entrance, where magazine personnel changed into protective and non-spark producing clothes. A separate entrance for the two shell stores, in the south eastern portion of the magazine corridor, also provided access to the lamp passage and two small chambers designed to store lamps and fuses. On either side of the partition wall, the outer wall of the corridor is pierced by two issuing hatches, through which ammunition was passed outside for collection.
The magazine retains many of its original features, including two windows facing into the parade, and wooden shutters in the ceiling of the shell stores, designed to control the circulation of air through the ventilation ports. A four roomed casemate block, set into the rampart just below ground level, defines the south eastern side of the parade. At each end of the casemates, steps lead up from the parade onto the top of the rampart, which could function as a firing parapet, allowing the mobilisation centre some degree of self-defence in the event of enemy bombardment.
After the London Defence Positions were abandoned, in around 1905, the centre was finally sold in 1920. It was subsequently used, for much of the 20th century, as a field study centre for school groups. To meet their needs, the casemates were converted into washrooms and drying rooms, and two brick chimney stacks were constructed on the flat roof, above the ventilation shafts. Associated with the main compound are the original, semi-detached pair of caretakers’ cottages and the mobilisation tool store, situated on the eastern side of the approach road from the north.
The mobilisation tool store, which is Grade II Listed, located just outside the entrance is now the main residence This building is therefore not included in the scheduling. A number of features within the area of the monument are excluded from the scheduling. These are: all modern fences; all modern fixtures and fittings, including all components of the modern electrical and plumbing systems, as well as modern materials and equipment stored within the mobilisation centre; and the wooden sheds, constructed on the north eastern edge of the rampart and ditch. The ground beneath these items is included in the scheduling, together with structures and surfaces related to the military use of the site, to which some of these features are attached.
