Property Flirt: Just call me Lady Muddy
I don’t know about you, but I quite fancy myself as a Lady of the Manor. Lady Chatterley, Lady Mary… they got it right didn’t they? Hot gamekeepers chasing after them, the biggest decision of the day whether to wear pearls or diamonds… I could get used to that. Plus, I think Lady Muddy has a certain ring to it.
Well, I think I’ve found my Downton Abbey. And as always, we’re going to have a bit of fun with it. I’ll drip feed you the odd clue and photo, and all you have to do is work out how much wonga you’re going to need to slap down in order to secure the keys. Before you know it Carson will be waking you up with a cup of Earl Grey and a lightly toasted crumpet.
Shall we begin? (you know you don’t really win the house, right? Just the glory. Ok, I might throw in the hot gamekeeper).
Kingsmead sits on the edge of the pretty village of Winkfield and there’s no problem walking the dog as you’re adjacent to Windsor Great Park. You’ve got fab shopping in Windsor, Maidenhead, Sunningdale and Ascot and you’re in staggering distance of a brilliant pub loved by local school mums (Lambrook, Papplewick, St George’s and St Mary’s) who use it as a hang out before and after school matches, The Winning Post, in nearby Maidens Green.
Obviously as Lady of the manor you’ll need to brush up on your horsemanship. Not a problem with racing at Windsor and Ascot and more polo clubs than you can shake a… er, mallet at. Plus, Lord Muddy can whack a few golf balls at Wentworth, The Berkshire and Sunningdale.
So you’ve got your bearings, now shall we see a bit more house?
It’s your quintessential Victorian country pile which hasn’t been messed about with (phew!) so you’ve got masses of elegant rooms with high ceilings like these. Note, I said ‘these’ – as in several!
And loads of original features like these leaded windows with beautiful ornate latches – aren’t they fab?!
There are also fireplaces a-plenty, and a very impressive oak staircase…
So all in all there are 5 reception rooms (!) including this whopping 30 foot sitting room/reception hall…
A smart dining room for the many fabulous dinner parties you’ll be hosting!
There’s over 7,000 square feet of house here including a library with adjoining study, and this country style kitchen with obligatory Aga (of course you won’t be using that – you’ll have a cook) and separate laundry room (again, not for you Lady).
So are you getting a handle on the price yet? Let’s talk bedrooms – that might help. There are 9 in total – yes really. On the first floor there’s a master bedroom with en-suite and an adjoining dressing room/bedroom, an en-suite guest bedroom, plus a further 4 bedrooms which share the family bathroom.
Fear not, they haven’t forgotten the au pair with separate accommodation including a kitchen/breakfast room, bedroom and bathroom. Oh, and there’s a further bedroom on the upper floor. So, plenty of sleepover space for wild party guests, great aunt so-and-so and the au pair’s boyfriend.
Ah, my favourite bit… the grounds! Better charge up the golf buggy to whizz around because there’s nearly 9 acres here! Beautiful lawns surrounding the actual house, with a lengthy patio area for obligatory al fresco dining (when our British summer eventually plays ball).
You also need to add a pony to your budget as you have paddocks, outbuildings and a stable yard consisting of two stable blocks, with 6 stables (make that 6 ponies), a tack room, two workshops and a store room. Trot on!
Right then have you digested, cogitated and got a price in mind? Are you ready for the big reveal? Let’s see if you were right! Then you can finally take your seat at the head of the house as Lady Kingsmead and start chasing that tasty gamekeeper round the grounds.