Valeside is a spectacular four-bedroom house, set into one side of the Golden Valley near the village of Grayshott in Hampshire. The house occupies a truly breathtaking location, cantilevered over the valley below,with sweeping views towards Hindhead and the Devil’s Punch Bowl areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The house is configured to maximise the flow of light, creating a vast, expansive set of communal areas on the ground-floor. The orientation of the plan is designed to take in the sweeping views of the valley, but also to establish a relationship that breaks down the boundaries between inside and out. A long set of glazed doors open directly from the dining area onto a large deck, allowing the flow of light and life freely across the house’s plan. This elevated position, set within approximately an acre of private garden, creates an unrivalled sense of peace and  tranquillity throughout.

Access is gained via Hammer Lane, a winding country lane that slices through a beautiful swathe of woodland called ‘The Land of Nod’. The house appears to one side in an unimposing profile of wooden louvres, positioned beneath a mature oak tree. There is parking space for two cars to one side of the main entry gate. A path leads past the garage and a private driveway (with further space for an additional car) to the house. Steps lead down to the house itself, set slightly beneath the lane.

An entrance hall leads through to the open-plan kitchen, living and dining rooms where the sheer scale of the view across the valley is immediately apparent. As the valley slopes away the tree-tops in the foreground recede creating a dramatic sense of the valley profile with exceptional countryside views towards Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. These areas lead out to an expansive cedar deck, with steel balustrades designed to maximise the flow of light. This decked area is so large, it really does feel like an extension of the internal living areas and certainly in the warmer months, functions as an additional ‘room.’

A contemporary kitchen is positioned to one side of the dining area. It has a separate set of glazed doors to the deck, as well as a breakfast bar and integrated Siemens appliances. The living room has a beautiful wood-burning stove, set into an elegant wide-profile hearth. Further glazed doors open from this area of the ground-floor, to the side of the garden. The remainder of the plan is occupied by a study, or fourth bedroom, with its own private deck overlooking the valley, a guest bedroom, guest W/C and a shower room.

The lower-ground floor comprises a wonderful master bedroom suite; cantilevered out over the valley below it exploits a cleverly configured balcony and sliding glazed doors to frame equally impressive views. There is a walk-in dressing room to the right, upon entry with significant amounts of storage space and a beautiful en-suite bathroom adjoins, opposite. The bathroom has a sunken bath, again orientated at the valley, so that the views can be fully appreciated. There is also a large walk-in shower and twin sinks. A further guest bedroom occupies the remainder of the plan on this lower-ground floor. It has an en-suite shower room and glazed doors with direct access to the garden.

The Golden Valley and its surrounding countryside were popularised at the tail end of the 19th century by illustrious Victorians seeking refuge from the smog and fumes of cities undergoing significant transformation during the Industrial Revolution. The health benefits of fresh air, rambling and nature trails saw this part of the Hampshire countryside dubbed ‘Little Switzerland’, thanks to its rolling green hills and valleys. Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories was among the eminent Victorians to re-locate to the area, building a large house at Hindhead where he entertained the likes of J.M. Barrie, Virginia Wolfe and Bram Stoker.

Nowadays, the area is still renowned for the quality of its bucolic landscape. The many National Trust sites nearby, including Ludshott Common, one of  the largest remaining areas of heathland in Surrey. Waggoners Wells, a series of man-made carp ponds, Frensham Ponds and Bourne Wood, are all particularly popular stretches of countryside, for cycling, rambling and walking, and are easily accessible from the house.

The closest village is Churt, with its bustling local pub and convenience store. Grayshott is a larger nearby village with all the necessary amenities, just a few miles from the house. There is an excellent choice of both state and private schools in the vicinity, including the very popular Frensham Heights.

Valeside is a short drive from Farnham or Haslemere stations, both of which run mainline train services to London Waterloo within an hour. There are also good road links; the house is approximately 40 miles from London, while Heathrow and Gatwick airports are within 50 miles.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.