Frith Hill, Great Missenden

DESCRIPTION
It would be enough to say that the same family has occupied Hill House since 1968 and that there have only been two owners since 1944. When residents are satisfied, they remain.

Hill House represents with magnificence both the time it was built (1810) and every period since. The more showy Victorian era; the short but pleasant Edwardian period and the more sober, contemporary period.

Four storeys, six bedrooms (master en-suite), three bathrooms, three reception rooms and a glorious verandah are housed in a formally designed work of art.

The intelligent design means that from all the principal living areas and most bedrooms, long views are cast south west across Great Missenden, the Misbourne Valley and Buckinghamshire.

Hill House - as with most properties of this age - is infinitely versatile. The use of rooms is limited only by the wishes and requirements of the residents.

The current office with adjacent cloakroom might be used as a utility room or simply a boot and coat room for mud-encrusted outerwear after a morning riding or gardening. Similarly, one of the bedrooms could be a playroom. There is scope to make other bedrooms en-suite and adapt reception rooms to libraries, music rooms or even media zones.

The parquet-floored cellar adds not just usable area to the house but a perfect place for wine storage, hobby or business stock or children's paraphernalia. With a slightly separate feel, it only requires an imaginative owner to give it identity.

The four acres belonging to Hill House give seclusion and a sense of solitude. All that might remind residents of neighbours is the fitting sound of horses coming and going from the nearby stables.

The separate, three bedroomed cottage could make a place either for visitors, relatives who you want nearby and who want to maintain independence or - serving today's growing audience - a holiday cottage.

Inside, wood block flooring, aesthetically fitting sash windows and original fireplaces mark this property out as valuable in terms of materials. Outside, cedars, silver birch and copper beech trees populate the gardens. The sensitive relationship between the loosely planned outside space and its natural surroundings emphasise maturity and regional tradition.

A swimming pool and tennis court seem to be the two additions necessary to finish Hill House in the proper manner: it has both.

The modest opulence of this Georgian residence and sensible, perfect allocation of space give Hill House every advantage for future residents. Nothing is missing; everything a prospective owner could seek is here.

EPC:
Hill House - G
Hill House Cottage - F

Council Tax Band:
Hill House - H - £3,193.44 16/17
Hill House Cottage - C - £1,419.31 16/17

LOCATION
Named in the Domesday Book and known principally for Missenden Abbey (founded in 1133), the Historic Towns Assessment Report notes: lying on a London to West Midlands route, 'the Red Lion and The George provided rest and refreshment for travellers and their horses'. In the 13th century, it was granted a market charter and fair but competing as it did with Amersham and High Wycombe it remained a largely agricultural town.

The arrival of the railway (Metropolitan Line) in 1892 did little to dramatically alter its quiet character and today it is still largely a location for those who genuinely seek solitude while enjoying easy connections to London.

Great Missenden is home to mostly small, independent shops and businesses embracing the quirky and luxury. To Illustrate, there exists a hot air balloon company, luxury lingerie boutique, bookshop and garden centre.

The Friday morning Farmers' market at Prestwood is worth moving your schedule aside to visit selling fresh local produce from jams to meats and cheeses.

Of special note is Roald Dahl's house and Missenden Abbey which now runs weekend courses of every ilk.

The small number of annual events are incredibly well-attended and include the Steam Fair (at Prestwood) and Heritage Open Weekend.

When choosing food and drink, Great Missenden is abundant in quality. From traditional English to Oriental cuisine locally, a short drive brings you to Amersham or Aylesbury and High Wycombe with every taste catered for.

A modest and unassuming history depicts a town which is neither overgrown nor underdeveloped. Anyone choosing this town will appreciate its slower pace and English rural town feel while being swiftly and easily connected to London and beyond.

Notice
Please note we have not tested any apparatus, fixtures, fittings, or services. Interested parties must undertake their own investigation into the working order of these items. All measurements are approximate and photographs provided for guidance only.