Tupwood Lane, Caterham, CR3

The Property: Set in an elevated position within just over 39 acres, The Chalet is a substantial Victorian country house of impressive scale, character and presence. In the same ownership since the 1980s, the property provides approximately 9,814 sq ft of accommodation, excluding eaves storage, with the garaging and ancillary accommodation bringing the total built area to approximately 14,289 sq ft.

The architecture is well balanced, with generous proportions and strong natural light throughout. Ceiling heights are notable across the principal rooms, with decorative cornicing and ceiling detail providing continuity. Large sash and bay windows define much of the accommodation, drawing in natural light and framing views across the gardens and surrounding land. The staircases and circulation spaces are a particular feature of the house. The principal staircase, together with a secondary spiral stair, is finished with decorative iron balustrading and polished handrails, rising through broad, well-lit landings. Stained glass windows introduce colour and soften the light within these spaces. Elsewhere, original detailing has been retained throughout, including panelled doors, deep skirting boards, dado rails and traditional radiators, all sitting naturally within the proportions of the house.

The ground floor is arranged around a substantial entrance hall, from which three principal reception rooms are accessed, each well suited to formal entertaining and everyday living. A generously proportioned kitchen and breakfast room sits at the centre of the house, supported by a utility room and study, with cloakroom facilities and direct internal access to the attached triple garage.

The lower ground floor provides extensive additional accommodation, including a snooker room, further reception room and study, together with wine cellars and a secure panic room. From here, there is direct internal access to the leisure complex.

The leisure complex comprises a substantial indoor swimming pool with an integrated jacuzzi set into the surround. Natural light is introduced via roof glazing, with space around the pool for seating and circulation. A raised, glazed conservatory sits centrally within the pool area, overlooking the water and forming a defined sitting space. The complex is supported by changing rooms with showers and WC facilities, plant rooms, a store and a pool kitchen.

The first floor is arranged around a central landing with lantern light and provides a principal bedroom suite with dressing room, en suite bathroom and access to private balconies. Four further bedrooms are positioned on this level, all served by en suite bath or shower rooms.

Above, the second floor provides a mezzanine area and extensive eaves storage.

In addition to the main house, there is a self-contained flat arranged above the garaging, extending to approximately 841 sq ft and providing independent accommodation with sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

While the house is fully functional and well maintained as it stands, it offers an incoming owner the opportunity to undertake sympathetic modernisation and shape the next chapter to individual taste.

Outside: The Chalet is approached via a long, gated drive that creates a strong sense of arrival. The house sits in an elevated position, with open countryside, woodland and far-reaching southerly views forming the immediate setting.

The gardens, grounds and wider land extend to just over 39 acres and are a defining feature of the property. They are beautifully landscaped and carefully maintained, with sweeping lawns, mature specimen trees, established planting and areas of woodland combining to create a setting of scale, privacy and quality. Parts of the grounds retain the layout and features of a former nine-hole golf course.

The grounds also include a tennis court, an ornamental carp pond and a helipad.

Situation: The Surrey town of Caterham occupies a convenient position just inside the M25, while remaining close to open countryside and Green Belt land. The property is located within approximately one mile of the town centre, which offers a good range of everyday amenities including local shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants. More comprehensive facilities are available in the nearby towns of Oxted, Reigate and Redhill.

The area is well regarded for its choice of schools, with a number of highly regarded state and independent options within easy reach. These include Caterham School, The Hawthorns, Hillcroft Primary, St John’s School, St Bede’s School, the Royal Alexandra and Albert School and Reigate Grammar School, among others.

The M25 at Junction 6 is approximately 2.5 miles away, with straightforward access to the M23 providing links to Gatwick Airport. Caterham station offers regular direct services to London Bridge, with journey times of approximately 47 minutes.

Distances

Caterham town centre: 1.2 miles
Caterham station: 1.3 miles, with London Bridge approximately 47 minutes
M25, Junction 6: 2.5 miles
Gatwick Airport: 13.5 miles
Central London: approximately 18 to 20 miles