History is at home’s heart
ELYSIAN Residences has launched what it claims to be one of the UK’s finest retirement homes in a Grade II listed stately home set in 24 acres. Once the country estate of the Marquess of Camden, Wildernesse House has 23 luxurious apartments in the Georgian mansion with eight new-build contemporary mews houses in the grounds, which have their own croquet lawn.
The original house on the site near Sevenoaks, Kent, was built in the 1300s but updates between 1705 to 1884 transformed it into a fitting home for the first, second and third Marquess of Camden.
In 1884 Lord Hillingdon, a banker, bought the estate and had the great hall and library built, which are still part of the renovated and refurbished building. His visitors included the Rothschild family, Lord Randolph Churchill – Winston’s father – and HRH Princess Mary – the Queen’s aunt.
From 1954 until 2013,Wildernesse House became a school but now it’s the grandest of retirement developments and prides itself on its five-star hotel-style facilities.
These include a health spa with a swimming pool and treatment rooms and The Pavilion restaurant. The great hall has been transformed into a bar and lounge while the library is curated by awardwinning Sevenoaks Bookshop.
At the moment, apartments are on sale from £970,000 with mews houses at £1,150,000 (020 3918 7997; wildernessehouse.com) and next year 53 new-build apartments set in the grounds will be available.
The big question, though, for anyone who is considering downsizing to a retirement apartment or a smaller house, is what to do with a lifetime’s worth of possessions.
Well Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people may be able to help. Its website, anchor.org.uk, shares tips from Folds Inside interior designer Emma Gurner on how to retain the character of a much-loved family home in a one or two-bedroom apartment.There are also details of property to rent or buy.
If you’ve read decluttering tips before you’ll know that lists, and piles of things to keep or get rid of will loom large but Emma does have some sage advice.
“Easing yourself into the process early will be less daunting,” says Emma, who suggests starting with half an hour a day – although this might not get you past your first cup of tea.
Find out which charities accept furniture and large items: “This act in itself would make the downsizing process a more rewarding one,” she points out.
And make lists: what belongings you use, what gives you pleasure and sentimental items: “These are the items that will help to make your new house a home.”
Then write a list of what you don’t want and whether it will be given to a family member, auction or charity.
Start by getting rid of small things: “It will make getting rid of the larger items easier,” Emma explains. “Ask yourself questions like ‘will I ever read that book’, ‘will I ever wear that’, ‘do I actually like this?’.”
Measure the furniture you want to keep to make sure it will fit into your new home and decide what to hold on to.Then comes the clever bit: “If you stick with one antique piece per room, it will become a design feature and the contrast with the modern pieces will make its presence feel purposeful and considered.”
As for sorting through all your precious family photographs and knick-knacks – good luck. Although Emma says: “Group them together.A well-curated collection can become a real feature.”