Harleyford is a beautiful historic country Estate, within a few miles of the charming town of Marlow, 35 miles from London.
A newly extended marina and superb golf course are just two features of this 160-acre estate. Enclaves of lodges nestling within the parkland setting have been carefully developed at various times over the past 60 years.
It all started in the 1950s when the grandparents of the Folley family (current owners of the estate) sailed along the Thames in their slipper launch – a boat built to a traditional design which originated in Marlow.
Archie and Elsie Folley were looking for somewhere to moor their boat.
By chance, they spotted a dilapidated ‘for sale’ sign hung on a tree. A week later they bought the estate. They had found somewhere to moor their boat! Initially there were caravans here and boats but in the mid-1990s the lodge development began, transforming the estate into the exclusive destination it is today.
That exclusivity becomes evident when you see the bespoke Harleyford Utopias manufactured by Lissett Homes.
Number 19 Chargers Paddock is a 42ft x 22ft Utopia. The dining, lounge and kitchen area is open plan and the island unit in the kitchen has a raised edge creating a clear demarcation between the different areas.
The island unit has ample storage incorporating a wine cooler.
Furnishings and the kitchen surface are unique to this Utopia. Lounging comfort is provided by an enormous L-shaped settee unit plus an occasional chair, upholstered in fresh, subtle olive green and an abundance of cushions.
The extending dining table is Italian – along with most of Lissett’s furniture (apart from the cabinetry, which is manufactured at Lissett’s factory at Pocklington). The six high-back, ultra-comfortable dining chairs are upholstered in leather – two white and four grey. Stunningly modern!
The whole dining-lounge-kitchen area is enhanced by two remote-controlled roof lights with blinds – another exclusive feature of Utopias built for Harleyford.
The kitchen appliances are Bosch – in common with all other Lissett homes at Harleyford – and this one has a built-in coffee machine with a Bluetooth facility that enables you to activate it remotely.
As I sit at the Italian dining table, I spot a pair of Egyptian geese strutting across the lawn in front of the Utopia and I am reminded of the wildlife charm of Harleyford; the woodland is home to a herd of black fallow deer – they’re frequently seen, as we had discovered earlier in the day when one of the Harleyford directors guided us through the estate.
The laptop is now on the dressing table of the main bedroom. The furniture is beautiful cabinetry, pale oak with a prominent grain. A television is installed in a recess that matches the furniture. The Lissett stamp of refinement and quality is everywhere – especially in the walk-in dressing room, with the array of shelving, hanging space and drawers.
Roman blinds – here in a subtle feather design on satin fabric, plus bedcovers and cushions are specified by Harleyford. In the second bedroom the Harleyford colour palette is equally subtle – this time soft fawns. Both rooms have vaulted ceilings – another aspect that forms part of the Harleyford statement of individuality.
The main bathroom has an over-bath shower. Back across the hallway the utility room hides the central heating unit and houses a Bosch washing machine and separate tumble dryer.
This Utopia is three feet longer, at 45ft. Most of the extra space is in the lounge/dining area and the main bedroom has a different layout.
Although many of the features are common to both lodges, the character of this lodge’s lounge-dining-cooking space is totally different. That’s down to furniture style.
This time the accent is on soft grey for the settee – again L-shaped – and reclining swivel chair with splashes of orange and copper; orange for bolster-shaped cushions and copper as a style element that runs throughout the lodge.
Very soft coppery shades are in cushions and curtains. Three copper pendant lights focus down onto the six-seater dining table. Unlike Number 19 Chargers Paddock, the main bedroom of this lodge has its en-suite shower room separate from the dressing room; each is at opposite ends of the bedroom. Copper makes an appearance here in the bedside lamps and in subtle threads on the Roman blind and on the cushions.
Which Utopia would we prefer? It’s hard to say... Maybe the ultra-modern soft grey and copper would sway us towards Number 20... Maybe it’s the extra size of the lodge, but then Number 19 has that olive green seating that’s so stunning.
I briefly recline amongst the cushions on the olive green settee to savour the Harleyford Utopia atmosphere.
We’d enjoyed, just for a day, the Harleyford experience of sophistication and relaxation, owning a Utopia here would bring about a quality of life that would be hard to beat.
Lissett Homes
Pocklington, York YO42 1NR
lissetthomes.com
01759 302801