SITE DETAILS

Fuller information:

The first Bullers Wood House was built in the mid-C19th, a typical mid-Victorian stucco-fronted house; it was situated on a grassy hillside with extensive grounds including fields, woods, several cottages and a small farm. In 1872 it was leased by John Sanderson who had returned to this country to set up a headquarters in London for his large wool exporting company. Sanderson and his wife Agnes had a large family and he commissioned local architect Ernest Newton to extend and redecorate Bullers Wood. William Morris was commissioned to decorate and redesign the interiors. Newton extended the house to the east and west, throwing out bays with mullioned windows, the house then refaced with the present red brick. The vernacular revival style house and stables were completed in 1889 and this date is seen on the terrace gates. Newton also designed formal red brick terraced gardens to harmonise with the appearance of the house. The picturesque garden has formal terraces around the house, sloping lawns and glades between shrubs with many notable specimen trees. To the north-east, steps descend into predominantly oak woodlands, now rather overgrown and obscuring views. This woodland also contains many specimen trees including cypress, yew and Scots pine, and there are rhododendron-lined walks along the contours. The ‘superb’ setting of the house is highlighted by Bridget Cherry in 'The Buildings of England'.

Several of the surviving members of the Sanderson family were scattered round the world after WWI and the family house was sold in 1920 after the death of 'Granny' Agnes Sanderson. The property became Bullers Wood School, which was established in 1930, and the house now contains the school's language college. The drive to Bullers Wood from the main entrance in St Nicholas Lane leads past a late C19th lodge house. Although much altered, the landscape has attractive woodland.

Sources consulted:

B Cherry & N Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England, London 2: South' (1983, reprint 1999) p163; Bullers Wood School website:

Grid ref:	TQ423698
Size in hectares:
On EH National Register :	No
EH grade :
Site on EH Heritage at Risk list:
Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:	No
Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:	No
The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.
On Local List:
In Conservation Area:	No
Conservation Area name:
Tree Preservation Order:	No
Nature Conservation Area:	No
Green Belt:	No
Metropolitan Open Land:	No
Special Policy Area:	No
Other LA designation:	Urban Open Space