Copse House, Dorking, Surrey

Set in around 1.4 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland, this striking modern house lies in a quiet rural setting in the Surrey Hills. It was designed by award-winning architect Mark Hillier and has over 3,560 sq ft of space, carefully apportioned across two light-filled storeys. Copse House occupies a private and secluded plot between Guildford and Dorking, with central London reachable in around 30 minutes from Guildford train station, just 9.5 miles west.

The Architect

Scottish-born, award-winning architect and landscape designer Mark Hillier has worked across the globe on both residential and commercial projects. He has been design lead at several renowened firms, founded London-based practice h2architecture, and works as a tutor at several UK universities. His context-driven approach can be seen in practice at Copse House, which, despite its modern feel, embeds itself into the age-old surrounding landscape.

The Tour

At the end of a private road, the house lies at the foot of a long, gated driveway. Its architectural profile is characterised by Welsh stonework, concrete, and timber cladding, making for a striking first impression. Strategically orientated within the topography of the site, the position enables both excellent privacy and wonderful views from the terraces and balconies at every level.

Internally, the impressive scale and volume unfold immediately. A series of dynamic, free-flowing living spaces, defined by soaring ceiling heights and clean lines of sight, are organised around a central glazed atrium with a resin floor. A highly efficient Poggenpohl kitchen adjoins the dining space, which, in warmer months, opens onto the terrace, providing a seamless fluidity between cooking and eating. Three bedrooms and their bathrooms are also positioned on this level.

A helical concrete staircase connects the ground and first floor levels, where walkways and recesses are paired with expansive walls of glass, merging interior and exterior spaces and inviting the outside into every room. The upper-level houses a beautifully bright secondary living area, opening onto a terrace with far-reaching views across the gardens. A glazed walkway leads to the master bedroom suite, complete with a dressing room, bathroom and private covered balcony, also with expansive views across the grounds.

The aluminium brise soleil brings shade to the glazed elevations, while solar panels at roof level supplement the hot water provision. There is also a MVHR system, ensuring a temperate internal environment throughout the seasons.

Outside Space

Extending to around 1.4 acres, the beautifully landscaped grounds warrant comparable merit to the design of the house itself. Intended to minimise the intervention of the house on its rural setting, the gardens are a rich curation of native trees and undulating lawns, interspersed with grasses and herbaceous borders. The sedum roof further encourages the rich cultivation of local wildlife.

Embraced by open fields to the south and west, a nearby footpath leads directly in to The Hurtwood and its extensive woodland walks.

The Area

Peaslake, Holmbury and Abinger are easily reached, with a village shop in Peaslake and a farm shop in Abinger, selling a variety of local produce and daily provisions. For a broader range of shopping and dining offerings, Guildford, Dorking and Cranleigh are all easily accessible by car, or by public transport.

Guildford is surrounded by the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on three sides. It is known for its rolling landscape and country lanes, popular with walkers and cyclists (after the Olympic route passed over Box Hill). There are walking routes directly from Guildford into the countryside and along the Wey Navigation, with inlets loved by locals for river swimming. The Downs Link, a long-distance route following two disused railway lines crossing the Surrey Hills, offers great long-distance walking and cycling routes through the Low Weald, the South Downs and the Coastal Plain.

There are also some excellent places to eat in the nearby villages, including Michelin-starred The Clock House, the much-loved Anchor in Ripley, the Michelin-starred Sorrel in Dorking and several local vineyards, including Albury Vineyard and Greyfriars Vineyard, High Clandon Estate Vineyard and Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking.

Good schools in the area include St Catherine’s, Lanesborough, Tormead, Guildford High School, Royal Grammar School, Cranmore, St Teresa’s, Cranleigh, Charterhouse and Prior’s Field. There are also village schools in Peaslake and Abinger Hammer.

Guildford station is 25 minutes' drive from the house and runs direct services to London Waterloo, Gatwick and to the south coast.

Council Tax Band: H