Introduction
Situated in Virginia Water on the south-westerly outskirts of London, the Wentworth Estate is one of the most expensive and desirable spots in the country. Oligarchs, ambassadors and several celebrities, including Sir Elton John and Sir Cliff Richard, have all called the Estate home over the years, and its exquisite, sprawling mansions discreetly change hands for tens of millions of pounds.
Key to the enduring popularity of the Wentworth Estate is its peaceful, verdant atmosphere, with most of its detached houses surrounded by several acres of manicured gardens and mature trees. “It is the only private estate in the UK where a Government white paper has been passed on the terms of planning”, says Tim Firth, director of estate agentJackson-Stops Weybridge, adding that “purchasers can only build on 20% of the land holding, in order to preserve the estate’s spacious and serene feel.”
Central London is an easy drive or train journey and Heathrow is a mere seven miles down the road. And conveniently for its high-net-worth presidents, the gleaming private jet hangars of FarnboroughAirport are just a few minutes further away…
£2.13 million
average property price
23%
increase in values during Covid boom
Property market
The Estate plays host to an array of architectural styles, including Arts & Crafts, neo-Georgian and modernist houses. Some properties are located on exclusive private roads, while others are in gated developments with communal gardens. During the 2020-2023 Covid price boom, values across the Wentworth Estate and its nearby cousin StGeorge’s Hill increased by 23%.
As of December 2024, house prices in Wentworth have an overall average of £2,126,507 over the last year. The majority of properties sold in Wentworth during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £2,887,533. A recent sale on the Wentworth Estate set a new record per square foot price of £1,291
London Richmond are purchasing a stunning4-bedroom apartment of 2,200 square feet overlooking the West Golf Course on the Wentworth Estate. This property will remain in the retained portfolio for many years to come.
Things to do
The Wentworth Estate is well-placed to enjoy all the rural delights of this picturesque part of the English countryside. TheSurrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are a landscape of enchanting rolling hills and ancient woodlands, perfect for leisurely walks –there are also plenty of charming villages, medieval churches and grand stately homes to discover along the way. For a ramble closer to home, head over toWindsor Great Park, an ancient Royal landscape of forests, grasslands, lakes and gardens. At its southern edge lies Virginia Water lake, which has an18th-century ornamental cascade, a ruined temple built from columns brought from the ancient city of Lept is Magna in Libya and a towering totem pole, presented to the Queen from the Kwakiutl people of British Columbia.
Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, offers a full day of attractions with its grand state rooms, glorious art collection and the magnificent St George's Chapel.Make sure you take a peek at Queen Mary's Dolls' House, which was built in the early 1920s Sir Edwin Lutyens. It includes contributions from hundreds of the finest artists, craftspeople and manufacturers of the early 20th century and is wonderfully detailed to include working lifts, running water and a fully stocked wine cellar!
Nearby Runnymede is known as the site of one of the most pivotal moments in British history: the signing of the Magna Carta by King John I. On the lower slopes of verdant Cooper’s Hill there is a serene memorial to this ‘symbol of freedom under law’, with stone benches for a moment of peaceful contemplation. If you’re after a bit more detail, head to Egham Museum, an independent community museum dedicated to exploring the history of the local area, from its earliest settlers in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages to the present day.
Ascot Racecourse has regular racing as well as the famous five-day Royal Ascot event each June. Whether you fancy a flutter or you’re just there to take in the hats and headpieces, this is a keystone of theBritish social calendar and well worth a visit.
“Purchasers can only build on 20% of the landholding, in order to preserve the estate’s spacious and serene feel”
Shop
Peek Boutique in Virginia Water offers a carefully curated selection of under-the-radar luxury designers like MadeleineThompson, Equipment and Kinross Cashmere, as well as high-end denim from the likes of Paige and Frame. The shop was founded by experienced stylist and personal shopper Laura Whiting, whose team will expertly advise on everything from daily wardrobe staples to high-fashion occasion wear, helping to shape your unique personal style.
If you’re looking for a beautiful present for someone special (or a treat for yourself), head to the Savill Garden Gift Shop & Plant Centre in Windsor Great Park. This airy emporium has a huge variety of items that evoke an idyllic country lifestyle, alongside a range of plants and garden accessories from the Royal Gardens. The ethos of the shop is to support local and British manufacturers as much as possible, and you’ll find some gorgeous food items that are lovingly created just a few miles from the shop, from shortbread to preserves.
A few miles up the road from the Wentworth Estate in the town of Windsor one finds the Windsor Royal Station ShoppingCentre, a bijou selection of boutiques and cafes set within a stunningVictorian railway station with a soaring glazed iron roof. The bricks and mortar shops are occupied by high-end chains like Whistles, Jigsaw, Space NK and Jo Malone, while a number of independent makers run stalls on the old station concourse – check out Smith Silver for sparkling affordable jewellery.
Pamper and exercise
The Wentworth Estate was originally planned around its first golf course (now known as the East Course) and outdoor sports and exercise still lie at the heart of the estate. There are now three iconic golf courses, each rigorously maintained and designed for a perfect balance of prestige and playability. The West Course at Wentworth is the stuff of golfing legend, nicknamed the ‘Burma Road’ as testament to its reputation as a fearsomely tough test of golf and the Wentworth Club currently hosts the world-famous annual BMW PGA Championship.
Tennis and swimming are also big features here, with the Club offering a 25-metre indoor pool, the original 1920s outdoor pool surrounded by a white picket fence, and an 8-metre pool specially designed for children. There are 13 indoor and outdoor tennis courts with various surfaces, meaning there’s something for everyone, whatever the weather. And the spa at the Wentworth Club is pure wood-panelled luxury, including a jacuzzi and steam room, a gym and dance studio. The two treatment rooms offer a menu of indulgent treatments using Natura Bissé and Bamford Skincare, with options for all skin types.
Dine
The world-renowned restaurants at Bray are a short drive away, two of which command three Michelin stars apiece. Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck has been at the forefront of gastronomic innovation for almost 30 years, having shot to fame with its radical, ambitious dishes like bacon-and-egg ice cream and snail porridge. The main attraction here is still the tasting menu, a 12-course extravaganza entitled ‘The Journey’ with plenty of Heston’s trademark flourish, fun and finesse, but the restaurant is also offering a slightly more down-to-earth à la carte menu for 2025 in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Alain Roux’s The Waterside Inn is the other 3* offering in the village, offering an enchanting riverside setting with exquisite high-end French cuisine – an impeccable choice for a special occasion meal.
For a lower key vibe, there are some lovely pubs in Virginia Water and its environs. The Wheatsheaf is a spectacular country pub right on the shores of the lake, with a menu of Great British classics like lamb shank shepherds pie, pork and apple terrine and Eton mess.The Bailiwick Free House in Egham has a slightly more refined offering – chefSteven Ellis honed his craft under Clare Smyth MBE at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.Thanks to the team’s relationship with the gamekeeper at Window Great Park there is a strong focus on venison, which arrives in various delectable forms including sausages, bon bons, ragu and haggis.