Blog
Spotlight on Wraysbury – our estate agent’s view
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Wraysbury has had more than its fair share of famous residents over the years – so just what is it about Wraysbury that attracts the glitterati? Actors and musicians are drawn by proximity to both Pinewood and Shepperton Studios and surrounding areas have often been used as film locations. In Wraysbury itself, one of the lakes was used as the scene for the disposal of 007’s car in the James Bond movie, A View to A Kill. Access to London, its theatres, society events and all that the capital offers is another lure for both stars and mere mortals alike.
The railway came to Wraysbury in 1848 and this tranquil village now has 2 stations – Sunnymeads and Wraysbury - both on the line from Windsor to London Waterloo. With easy access to the M25, M4 and M3 and overseas via Heathrow, Wraysbury is ideal for city commuters and international travellers, yet retains its village charm and riverside appeal.
Between the wars, Wraysbury's four miles of picturesque riverside began to attract Londoners who built riverside bungalows, usually of timber construction (but sometimes consisting of old trams, buses or railway carriages) for weekend leisure and relaxation. It attracted stage, music hall and cinema folk; night clubs were opened, and from society rumours at the time Wraysbury acquired an air of notoriety. Few of these original bungalows still exist, having since been demolished and replaced with more permanent, grander houses.
History and romance are inextricably linked in Wraysbury’s heritage. Evidence of an Anglo-Saxon settlement covers a period of some 400 years while the ruins of a Benedictine nunnery from the reign of Henry II can be found on National Trust land perfect for gentle riverside strolls. The area is also reputed to be the place where Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn, and the real site in 1215 of the sealing of the Magna Carta which forms the basis of the UK’s constitution and civil rights.
For foodies, Tripadvisor lists 3 restaurants in and around Wraysbury. Reflecting the history and heritage of Wraysbury is The George, a 14th century Grade II listed coaching inn which has been fully refurbished. Its head chef, who trained under Heston Blumenthal, produces “simple food, expertly cooked” using fresh, local ingredients. The Perseverance, also Grade II listed, is a friendly pub in the heart of the village, offering delicious fresh food and fine local cask ales in an atmosphere that's warm and inviting; it boasts a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence. For added spice and Asian flavours, The Spice Lounge delivers “a flawless ruby” according to Tripadvisor who awarded it a 2015 Certificate of Excellence.
During the 1930s, the working of gravel pits became an unwelcome sight. Ironically now those unwanted gravel pits have become the beautiful lakes for which Wraysbury is well known, where wildlife can flourish, and where sailing, fishing, bird- watching and diving are enjoyed throughout the year. Wraysbury Dive Centre, London’s inland dive site, is a 15-acre lake used by many schools and clubs in the South of England for training. It has all the facilities you need and is open 7 days a week. There are many attractions in the lake with platforms at various depths and friendly carp, perch, tench and pike. All you have to do is turn up, pay your entrance fee and dive all day!
One of Wraysbury’s quirkiest properties is Splash Mill - named after the ford which used to run through the village. Built by Glyn Larcombe in 1996 as a house, it was styled after an old smock windmill, partly due to his love of large agricultural buildings, but also in protest against the loss of local heritage within Wraysbury. The smock mill consists of a sloping, weather-boarded tower, usually with six or eight sides. It is topped with a cap that rotates to bring the sails into the wind. Although of modern construction, the internal staircases at Splash Mill are over 200 years old! It was regularly used for film shoots, featured in several magazines and appeared on "60 Minute Makeover". It has since been in use as self-catering, rented accommodation.
From quirky windmills in the heart of the village to riverside family homes, Wraysbury boasts a wide variety of property in this village steeped in history and romance. For more information about the area or to see properties for sale or to let in this historic village please contact our Wraysbury office.
