£5m country house with ‘UK’s best lawn’ on market for first time in 40 years

The Edwardian house, known as Great David’s, is located in a hamlet of Kingwood, Oxfordshire and is for sale for the first time in 40 years.

Located at the southern end of the Chilterns National Landscape, the home’s sale is being handled by Nick Warner of Knight Frank in Henley-on-Thames.

It boasts 11 acres of immaculate gardens and grounds and is surrounded by open farmland and pockets of privately owned beech woodland.

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The house is said to have the UK’s best lawn. (Image: SWNS)

It comes with an immaculate croquet lawn described as “the best lawn in the UK” which the owner’s wife had dug up and re-seeded 25 years ago.

Maintained since then by professional greenkeepers, every July it is used by the country’s leading croquet players – including a former world champion – for a private tournament.

Global retail consultancy Knight Frank said: “Great David’s is a beautifully designed Edwardian country home offering extensive and flexible family living and entertaining space, with ample accommodation and immaculate grounds. 

“The property is approached from a quiet lane through electric gates opening out to a private gravelled drive up to the house, with a large parking area.”

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Inside the £5m Oxfordshire home. (Image: SWNS)

The house was built by the Maxwell family in 1909, and offers 5,339sq ft of accommodation on three floors, including a large reception hall, drawing room, wood-panelled dining room, and a comfortable snug that leads into a Smallbone-designed family kitchen.

Nick Warner from Knight Frank said: “In 30 years of selling wonderful country houses, never have I seen a professionally kept tournament standard croquet lawn alongside other great sporting amenities too.”

The first floor houses six bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a large study, bathroom and attics on the second floor.

The outdoor facilities are more in akin to an Olympic training camp than a family home and include a cricket net, tennis court, swimming pool and pool house.

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Oxford Mail readers can enjoy 30 per cent off their first year in this flash sale 👇🗞️https://t.co/hUJZeeOZrM

— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) September 29, 2024

The gardens and grounds, originally laid out by the Maxwell family, were revived in the early 1980s by the owner’s wife.

The pièce de résistance is the croquet lawn, which the owner’s wife had dug up and re-seeded some 25 years ago. 

Maintained since then by professional greenkeepers, it’s been the setting each July for a private tournament attended by the country’s leading players, including a former world champion.

Those interested in the extravagant property should contact Knight Frank’s Nick Warner on 01491 844901 to arrange a viewing or to enquire about the £5,000,000 purchase.

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The house is located close to Henley. (Image: SWNS)

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