A rare residential and equestrian estate uniquely situated within a London postcode
Description
Highwood Lodge Farm Estate is an exceptional residential, amenity, and equestrian estate remarkably positioned just 9 miles north of Central London. This estate offers the unique combination of country living within a London postcode. It features a superb unlisted manor house interior designed as a country house, surrounded by formal gardens and accessed through a private tree-lined drive. In addition, the estate comprises 4 cottages and flats, an indoor swimming pool, a pool house, and a tennis court.
An avenue of Lime trees line an impressive driveway that sweeps up from the south, from Highwood Hill and passing through the estate parkland and formal gardens. The charming unlisted principal house sits in an elevated position within mature gardens, providing a beautiful setting. Constructed of brick rendered under slate roofs, Highwood Lodge is a substantial residence spanning 8,127 sq ft. It offers wonderful family accommodation across four floors, including a staff flat.
The landscaped gardens at Highwood Lodge provides a wonderful backdrop to the house. Stone steps descend from the front terrace and connect the house to the formal gardens below. These south east facing gardens feature a paved walkway through an avenue of olive trees, adjacent meticulously crafted box topiary with a central fountain. A raised pond feeds into a central stepped canal pond, flanked by intricately sculpted topiary and expansive lawns. The gardens benefit from an irrigation system, are flood lit and there is extensive CCTV together with sophisticated alarm system.
The garden gently slopes from the house towards two sizable ponds, teeming with diverse birdlife. The top pond feeds into the lower pond which features a raised walkway over it. Within the gardens, there is a productive fruit and vegetable garden, designed as a cart-wheel, boasting apricot, peach, and pear trees, as well as multiple greenhouses, potting sheds and a tree house.
The impressive equestrian facilities include 14 loose boxes, accommodation for grooms, a horse-walker, six furlong gallops, a cross-country course, a polo field, and an Olympic-size outdoor arena suitable for dressage, show jumping, and polo. The estate encompasses 79 acres of pastureland and 7 acres of woodland, in total extending to 103 acres.
Location
The farm estate is situated in the desirable and affluent neighbourhood of Mill Hill in North London. Nestled within a picturesque countryside setting, offering a sense of tranquillity and privacy while benefiting from the amenities and excellent transport links of London.
Mill Hill Village exudes a traditional village ambiance, complete with a village green and a local cricket club. The main shopping area, known as the Broadway, bustles with independent shops and restaurants. The property is conveniently located approximately 1.4 miles from Mill Hill Broadway Overground Station, which provides Thameslink services to St Pancras in under 30 minutes and to Luton International Airport in under 40 minutes. Additionally, it is approximately 2.2 miles from Mill Hill East Underground Station, granting access to central London (9 miles) via the Northern line within 45 minutes. The A1 and M1 highways provide routes to the north, while the A1 and A41 connect southward to central London.
Schools in the vicinity are highly regarded and offer excellent educational opportunities. They include Mill Hill School, Belmont, Grimsdell, the Mount, Eton College, Harrow, St Paul’s School, and Westminster School.
Acreage: 103 Acres
Additional Info
The equestrian facilities within the estate are a remarkable and distinctive asset, representing the owners’ passion during their tenure at Highwood Lodge. They have established and operated a highly successful racing yard, focusing on breeding, rearing, and training racehorses that have achieved multiple wins. The horses were exercised on a the six furlong gallop which rises gently to 200 feet through the farmland.
The main equestrian yard has been thoughtfully incorporated within the house grounds, situated in proximity to the house for convenience while strategically concealed by mature hedges and trees. Accessible from both the principal drive and the back drive, the yard features 14 loose boxes, tack rooms, feed rooms, and a 5-horse horsewalker. Additionally, there is dedicated groom’s accommodation within the yard, comprising an open-plan kitchen and reception room, one bedroom, and one bathroom.
Towards the southeast of the estate lies a floodlit and boarded outdoor arena of Olympic size, boasting a sand surface suitable for dressage, show jumping, and polo. adjacent to the arena, there is a viewing platform and hut for spectators.
As part of the extensive equestrian complex across the estate, a cross-country course was meticulously designed by Captain Mark Phillips. Notably, this course has attracted a crowd of 10,000 attendees for horse trials, highlighting its popularity and success. The course is no longer used for competitions and the yard there is no longer run as a commercial racing yard but is enjoyed by the owners for their own equestrian pursuits.