Blog
A slice of history
Friday, May 1, 2015
It is believed that the property may have been the inspiration for the numerous pseudo timber framed houses that populate the village of Dorney and it previously formed part of the Palmer Estate where the very first pineapple in the UK was grown and presented to Charles II in 1661. Dorney is the ancient Saxon word for ‘island of bees’ and the estate is also famous for its honey which is still produced and sold there today. Dorney Court is one of the country’s finest stately homes; built in the 15th Century, the Tudor Manor House has been lived in by the Palmer family who have passed this remarkable and characterful building from father to son over thirteen generations since 1624.
Vine Cottage was originally built c.1590 as a two storey, timber framed ‘Hall House’ - one of the earliest examples of pre-fabricated buildings having timbers brought to the site ready for assembly. Each component would have its own number gouged into the wood on the main frame and the joint it was to be attached to. These ‘carpenters marks’ are still visible on some of the ground floor timbers to this day. Overflowing with charming period details, this has been a fantastic family home for the current custodians who have enjoyed nearly 30 years in the property.
Whilst the house is exceptionally striking, the gardens are equally impressive, offering marvellous outdoor space that is seldom seen in this area. The recently completed oak framed garage doubles up as a personal gym and is a perfect complement to the main house. Our vendor says, "It is so full of history that you don’t just live in it, you live with it and really care for it. In winter we’ve gathered around the snug fires, like previous residents have done for centuries. In summer we’ve loved the large gardens, the views across the common and the wonderful walks. And Dorney itself is a little oasis between Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough, with easy access to London, Heathrow and beyond.”
The Frost name has been at the heart of local property since 1906 so it’s really no surprise to discover that Vine Cottage was actually previously sold by AC Frost & Co in 1954 on behalf of the Palmer family. The current owners have a wealth of information about the property including original letters from AC Frost – a remarkable slice of history and a truly delightful property: Vine Cottage, Dorney.
