Denham Place, Buckinghamshire

Denham Place
Denham Place in 1695
Map
General information
Architectural styleGeorgian
Year(s) built1688–1701
OwnerMike Jatania
Design and construction
Architect(s)Capability Brown

Denham Place is a Grade I listed 17th-century country house in Denham, Buckinghamshire, surrounded by a Grade II listed 18th-century landscape park.[1] The estate borders the Buckinghamshire Golf Club.[2]

History

Origins

The house was constructed in 1688–1701 for Sir Roger Hill, and the architect was probably William Stanton.[3][4] The house was surrounded on three sides by elaborate formal gardens inspired by Versailles containing a canal and sculptures.[5] In 1773, most of the gardens were removed and replaced by a landscape park enclosed by a 10ft wall and encompassing a meadow, orchard, ornamental trees, formal sunken garden, flowerbeds, walled garden and a lake;[6] Capability Brown created the layout.[7]

Owners and visitors

Notable residents included members of the Bonaparte family, the American banker J. P. Morgan, the politician and movie financier Robert Vansittart, 1st Baron Vansittart and the producer Harry Saltzman.[8] Saltzman co-produced the first nine James Bond films at nearby Pinewood Studios, and later owners claimed the filmmakers used the house's library as M's office in the films Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun.[8] Notable visitors of the estate included producer Albert Broccoli, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Michael Caine, Rudolf Nureyev and Gregory Peck.[2]

Recent

The property is owned by Monaco-based cosmetics businessman Mike Jatania, who acquired the house from the cigarette manufacturer Rothmans International.[8] In 2023, it was listed for sale at £75 million, making it one of the most expensive properties outside of London.[8] Described as “a private palace”, the 28,525 sq ft main house has “state room-style principal entertaining spaces” as well as catering kitchens, a private chapel, two staircases and an elevator.[8][9] It is currently listed for sale at £65 million.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Inside A £75,000,000 Countryside Estate From The 17th-Century". Architectural Digest.
  2. ^ a b "DISCOVER DENHAM PLACE". Savills Portfolio.
  3. ^ Rupert Gunnis, Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 (revised version of 1951 edition), pp. 366–8.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Denham Place (Grade I) (1124467)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ "This Historic UK Palace Played M's Office in a 1973 Bond Flick. It Just Listed for $93.4 Million". robbreport.com. April 24, 2023.
  6. ^ "The £75 million home that's the closest thing you'll ever get to owning your own Royal palace". www.countrylife.co.uk. April 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Denham Place (Grade II) (1000598)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Neate, Rupert (20 April 2023). "Stately home 'used for James Bond scenes' goes on sale for £75m". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ "U.K. Businessman Selling Historic Mansion Featured in Bond Films for £75 Million". www.mansionglobal.com. April 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "Masterfully restored Grade I listed stately home in 42 acres of parkland". www.sothebysrealty.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.

51°34′25″N 0°30′06″W / 51.57371°N 0.50164°W / 51.57371; -0.50164