The late, great Sir Terry Wogan was a legend of British broadcasting, whose unmistakable warm and lilting tones graced our airwaves – and our screens – for 50 years. From his incredibly popular breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 to his commentary of the Eurovision Song Contest, he was a constant, reassuring presence in many of our lives. In 1975, he and his wife Helen bought Hitcham Close, a large house just outside the Thameside village of Taplow, where they raised their two children and spent many happy years together. The house remained in the family after the death of Sir Terry in 2016, but their children have now put the property up for sale following their mother Helen’s death last year.
The house went on the market for £3.75 million last summer, and has now been reduced to £3.25 million. It is a wonderfully spacious family home, extending over three floors and 6,500 square feet, with five reception rooms and six bedrooms. The front door opens onto a spacious entrance hall, with a fireplace and a wooden staircase with distinctive carved details in the Arts and Crafts style. Downstairs, there is an elegantly proportioned drawing room in addition to a more informal sitting room, a dining room, a study, a kitchen and utility room, as well as a conservatory to make the most of the garden views.
The first floor comprises the four main bedrooms and three bathrooms, while the top floor has been converted into self-contained guest accommodation with two bedrooms and a separate sitting room and kitchen. This could work very well for those wanting to accommodate a live-in nanny or housekeeper, or those on the hunt for a versatile, multi-generational home.
The biggest draw, however, lies outside the house. Thanks to the house’s enviable position on a quiet lane on the outskirts of Taplow, the grounds are tranquil and private, offering a peaceful countryside feel within easy reach of London (Paddington is less than 30 minutes away on the Elizabeth Line). Those who like to keep active will be delighted by the tennis court and swimming pool, while terrace areas are the ideal place to relax or entertain. The garden itself has plenty of considered planting and an immaculate lawn that is particularly well suited to families with children. A driveway, accessed via impressive wrought-iron gates, provides plenty of off-street parking, with further parking and storage in the integral triple garage.
In the words of Savills agent Hugh Maconochie, ‘Hitcham Close exudes charm and has clearly been a wonderful family home for many years. The garden views are truly exceptional, with Windsor Castle beautifully framed by thoughtfully positioned planting, creating a picturesque and memorable outlook.’ It presents the perfect opportunity for a family to begin their next chapter in a much-loved home that has long been cherished a much-loved British icon.
