Plantsman’s paradise where vibrant memories are made

WHEN Mike and Helen Hall celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in June their children bought them a gift.

Garden photographer Julie Skelton was tasked with creating a portfolio of vibrant memories of the magnificent plantsman’s paradise in Frieth which the couple lovingly created over 41 years.

Mrs Hall, 77, moved with her city lawyer husband from Well End to The Copse in Moorend in 1983 with their children and a menagerie of pets.

“It was the location we were first attracted to,” she said. “The house was a blank canvas and the garden was just an acre of flat grass but it inspired Mike so much.

“He worked on it over the years, growing everything from seeds and bulbs, until it became a riot of foxgloves, roses, bluebells, apple blossom and all types of specimen trees and shrubs.

“There are 50 varieties of snowdrops and other spring plants and more than 40 varieties of roses and other perennials. We also have a wonderful gardener who has been with us for 20 years and may be persuaded to stay on, as he knows the garden so well.”

The Copse has expanded since the 17th century, from a two-up, two-down cottage with two little front doors, to the 3,091 sq ft, five-bed detached family home, just a quarter of a mile from Frieth village.

Mrs Hall said: “We’ve had so many family celebrations here, from weddings and christenings with marquees in the garden. But now we would like to move to Edinburgh to be closer to our two daughters and grandsons.” The property is tucked away on a country track, with a very private but rural aspect on the edge of Moorend Common and is not overlooked at any point.

The gravel track drive to the house can accommodate up to eight cars for a party and up to four comfortably. There is a large garage attached to the house.

A garden gate leads into the property with lawned areas to the front and attractive scree beds. The spacious reception hall has exposed beamed ceilings and there is a cloakroom with a shower.

The sitting room also has a beamed ceiling and a large brick inglenook fireplace and Jetmaster fire. Dual aspect windows and French doors open on to the extensive paved terrace and south-facing garden.

Further accommodation on the ground floor includes a home office, and a large country kitchen/diner, utility/laundry room, boot room and two staircases. The cosy 350-year-old beamed snug still has an original baker’s oven in an inglenook fireplace.

The charming kitchen has a Fired Earth tiled floor and an Everhot electric range cooker recessed into an exposed brick fireplace. There are attractive hand-painted shaker-style wall and base units and integrated appliances.

There is a walk-in larder and dual aspect windows with a stable door opening to the rear garden, and an oak window seat.

On the first floor, there are five double bedrooms, two of which are in the rear wing with a shower room, accessed via a staircase from the kitchen. There is a family bathroom, and the principal bedroom is en suite.

All views look out over the magnificent gardens and terrace, and across to the woods.

The acre of garden is divided into several different spaces incorporating woodland walks, vegetable gardens with a Crane garden shed fully equipped with electricity and lighting.

There is also a greenhouse and cold frames, lawns and numerous well-stocked herbaceous beds.

The large rear terrace is built of Indian stone, a raised seating platform overlooking the garden and beyond to rolling farmland, a curved hornbeam hedge, bamboo tunnel and a mature apple orchard with quince and medlar trees.

Frieth is a rural hamlet at the top of the Hambleden Valley in the Chiltern Hills and offers a gastropub, primary school and village hall. It is also conveniently situated between Marlow and Henley.

Mrs Hall said: “Mike used to drive into Canary Wharf but it is only a 15-minute drive to High Wycombe station, which has fast links into London.

“We have absolutely loved living here but it’s time for another family to enjoy what we’ve achieved here and maybe put their own stamp on it.”

• The Copse is on the market with a guide price of £1,900,000 freehold, with no onward chain. For more information and to arrange a viewing, call Philip Booth Esq on (01491) 876544.