Discover Denham Place

Once home to members of the Bonaparte imperial family and more recently featured in James Bond films, this exceptional Grade I listed stately home has been fully refurbished and modernised. Set in 43 acres of parkland, it is just 17 miles from London’s Mayfair.

In the late 17th century, Sir Roger Hill, member of Parliament and high sheriff of the county, commissioned the building of a mansion in the Buckinghamshire village of Denham.

It was to become an opulent private palace, built in classic William and Mary style, with parterre gardens inspired by the glories of Versailles. A century later, Capability Brown added his distinctive touch, creating just under 43 acres of Grade II listed parkland that are still present at Denham Place today.

The Grade I listed house stretches to 28,525 sq ft, with 12 reception rooms, 12 bedroom suites, 14 bathrooms and family and catering kitchens. After an extensive eight-year restoration programme, it has been returned to its former glory and is now on the market for £75m, with contents included.

The drawing room, for example, is furnished with silk wall panels and curtains by the Gainsborough Silk Weaving Company, custom crystal chandeliers by Saint-Louis and a hand-painted ceiling fresco.

Led by the award-winning interior designer Alexander Kravetz, whose portfolio includes The Dorchester in London, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St Moritz and the Hotel Imperial in Vienna, the project was carried out in collaboration with English Heritage and The Georgian Group to offer palatial contemporary living. Currently used as a home cinema, the lower ground floor houses a banqueting hall for 60 diners.

A balance of landscaped gardens, parkland and woodland (restored and conserved by renowned landscape architect Lord Kenilworth), the estate borders the 18-hole championship course at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club. It also includes a Grade II listed coach house with planning permission for a state-of-the-art health spa, as well as estate cottages, ancillary buildings and garaging.

Crispin Holborow, joint head of The Private Office at Savills, says that “demand for properties of this kind is stronger than it has been for decades. There is a widening interest from the world’s wealthiest families for period property in the UK. Whereas in the past, ultra-high-net-worth buyers might only look for new-builds in the classical mould, they are now looking for something exceptional, and certain heritage properties meet their requirements. The history of this Grade I listed estate, together with its condition and location so close to central London, Heathrow airport and Denham Aerodrome, makes it extremely sought-after.”

Indeed, Denham Place has long been a beacon for international attention. It served as a royal residence for King Joseph-Napoleon Bonaparte and Jerome-Napoleon Bonaparte following the defeat of their brother, the fallen Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Later, between 1853 and 1913, it was the English country retreat of JP Morgan, the American financier and banker, and in 1930 it was purchased by the diplomat Lord Vansittart and his wife, Lady Sarita, a wealthy heiress. The couple were close friends of the film producer Alexander Korda, and visitors included Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier and Wallis Simpson.

Between 1960 and 1977, Denham Place was leased by Harry Saltzman, co-producer of the James Bond movies. Scripts were reviewed there and several scenes were filmed on site – the library doubled as M’s office in Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun. Visiting stars included co-producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Michael Caine, Rudolf Nureyev and Gregory Peck.

Steeped in history and extremely well connected, Denham Place is truly remarkable.

CRISPIN HOLBOROW,
JOINT HEAD OF THE PRIVATE OFFICE
cholborow@savills.com
+44 (0) 20 7409 8881

Pictures from top: Denham Place Lake; the commanding staircase; the drawing room; the bar; the library