HISTORICAL NOTE From Medieval times, there was a small farm on Tite Hill called Crippsfield and was a property of Chertsey Abbey. At the Dissolution in 1538, it passed to the Crown, and was subsequently acquired by Edmund Hilles, who held the estate from 1575 to 1633 and had a house there, on lower ground to the south of the present one. In 1760, the estate and house were purchased by Dean J Jebb of Cashel (in Ireland) and the name had changed to Runnymede Park. Upon his death in 1787, the property passed to his son, David Jebb who was a flour miller in partnership with William Conyngham and Blayney Balfour, with mills at Slane and Drogheda in Ireland. Due to these Irish connections, Jebb would have known of James Wyatt, the famous London architect, who designed Slane Castle for Conyngham and his older brother, Samuel Wyatt. Shortly after Dean Jebb’s death, the Wyatts were commissioned to build a Neo-classical mansion for David Jebb, who chose the current, more elevated position to take full advantage of the far-reaching view south-east over Runnymede towards the River Thames and London.

From 1929, the property was home to Lady King, the eldest sister of the 1st Viscount Rothermere, from 1929. It was requisitioned by the military for the duration of the war and was left in poor shape. Lady King died in 1945 and the property was bought by a subsidiary of the British Gypsum Company with the intention of developing the park as a zoo. This enterprise never materialised and the house was left empty from 1945 – 1977. By the 1970s most of the roof had gone, the interior suffered from rot and the subsidiary service wing was as teetering on the brink of collapse and subsequently fell down.

Mr and Mrs Collins bought the house in 1975 and embarked on a long restoration programme, to bring the property back from the brink of ruin.

THE PROPERTY Approached via a long sweeping driveway, Runnymede Park is a fine example of a Grade I listed property that still retains the grandeur of a bygone era and showcases many character features including a group of seven Coade stone plaques on the rear elevation and internally, feature fireplaces, excellent ceiling height and decorative cornices embellished with wheat ears and vines. They are dated 1791 and depict scenes relating to the milling trade.

The house offers in excess of 8,300 sq ft of classical-style living space arranged over three levels and one of the most exceptional features is the elegance of the receptions rooms which provide for lavish entertaining. In addition to the main house, there is extensive ancillary accommodation in the form of a 7-bedroom cottage, two 4-bedroom cottages, and a 2-bedroom apartment.

Upon arrival, a spacious portico with Doric columns extends an invitation to enter the house and into a striking reception hall. Many of the reception rooms are arranged around the hall, including the elegant drawing room with adjoining summer room that provides superb relaxation and entertaining space, formal dining room and sizeable study. The ground floor is completed by a sitting room, a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with direct access to the gardens via double doors, a utility room and cloakroom.

Upstairs, many of the rooms enjoy a pleasing outlook over the gardens and far-reaching views beyond. The accommodation includes a principal suite comprising a bedroom with an en suite dressing room and bathroom/shower room, three further bedrooms (1 en suite) and a family bathroom. Access to a roof terrace is available directly from the landing.

The second floor is host to guest accommodation in the form of a sitting room with kitchenette, two bedrooms and a shower room.

This property has 66.4 acres of land.

Outside

The property is approached via double wrought iron gates with a design based on those at Doddington Hall in Cheshire, which are notably designed by Samuel Wyatt. The house sits proudly within its grounds and affords not only an immense sense of privacy but breathtaking views. Situated to the northern side of the property are the cottages and garaging.

The stunning grounds are undoubtedly a fine feature of Runnymed Park, with extensive lawns, parkland-style grounds and light woodland.

Situation

Tite Hill is situated close to the picturesque village of Englefield Green and is close to Windsor Great Park which offers the opportunity for many leisure pursuits including walking, cycling and horse riding, Virginia Water Lake and Savill Garden. Shopping facilities for day to day needs are available in the Englefield Green, Egham and Old Windsor, whilst more extensive amenities may be found in Windsor and Staines, both of which are within easy reach. A mainline service into London Waterloo is available at Egham and Virginia Water. The M25 can be accessed via junction 13, which in turn provides access to the M3, M4, Central London, and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

Sporting facilities within the area are well catered for, including racing at Windsor, Ascot and Newbury, polo at Smith’s Lawn and The Royal Berkshire, golf at a variety of local courses including Wentworth, Sunningdale, and Swinley Forest, and boating on the River Thames.

There is extensive schooling in the region including nearby Bishopsgate School and St. John’s Beaumont, Royal Holloway University of London, Eton College, St. George’s School in Windsor, St Mary’s School Ascot, Heathfield, St George’s, Papplewick, Tasis England American School and The American Community School.

Directions

From London, exit the M4 (J4b) and join the M25 (signposted Gatwick). Follow the M25 to Junction 13. At the motorway exit roundabout follow the signs to the A30 (Egham) and Bagshot. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A30/Egham By Pass and continue to a further roundabout, where you will take the fourth exit into Tite Hill. After almost half a mile, Runnymede Park will be found on the right hand side.